Gayle Napangardi Gibson, Mina Mina Jukurrpa - Ngalyipi, 30x30cm

The country associated with this Jukurrpa is Mina Mina, a place far to the west of Yuendumu, which is significant to Napangardi/Napanangka women and Japangardi/Japanangka men. All of them are the custodians of the Jukurrpa that created the area. The Jukurrpa story tells of the journey of a group of women of all ages who travelled to the east gathering food, collecting ‘ngalyipi’ (snake vine [Tinospora smilacina]) and performing ceremonies as they travelled. The women began their journey at Mina Mina where ‘karlangu’ (digging sticks) emerged from the ground. Taking these implements the women travelled east creating Janyinki and other sites. Their journey took them far to the east beyond the boundaries of Warlpiri country. The ‘ngalyipi’ vine grows up the trunks and limbs of the ‘kurrkara’ (desert oak [Allocasuarina decaisneana]) trees. ‘Ngalyipi’ is a sacred vine to Napangardi and Napanangka women that has many uses. It can be used as a ceremonial wrap, as a strap to carry ‘parrajas’ (wooden bowls) that are laden with bush tucker and as a tourniquet for headaches.

Gayle Napangardi Gibson was born in Yuendumu, a remote Aboriginal community located 290 kms north-west of Alice Springs in the NT of Australia. Gayle attended the local school, where she loved studying English and playing sport. After finishing school she went to Batchelor College in Darwin where she trained to become a Teacher’s Aid. Upon returning to Yuendumu she worked at the local school before moving to Nyirripi in 1980. She married Teddy Jakamarra Gibson and they have three daughters who are now grown up, ‘One fellow and five grand children’. She has other family members living in Yuendumu and Lajamanu. Gayle has been painting with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre located in Yuendumu since 2006. “I just came out one day, and the truck from Yuendumu was there delivering canvas and I decided I wanted to paint. “ Gayle mainly paints her Mina Mina Jukurrpa (Mina Mina Dreaming) from her father’s side. But “sometimes I do my mother’s Dreaming and sometimes I paint patterns and designs.” When Gayle’s not painting or looking after her grandchildren she likes to hunt for Bush tucker.