Geraldine Napangardi Granites, Ngalyipi Jukurrpa (Snake Vine Dreaming) - Yanjirlpiri, 76x46cm

• Aboriginal Artist - Geraldine Napangardi Granites
• Community - Yuendumu  
• Aboriginal Art Centre - Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation  
• Catalogue number - 4177/18
• Materials - Acrylic on linen 
• Size(cm) - H76 W46 D2
• Postage variants - Artwork posted rolled for safe shipping
• Orientation - Painted from all sides and OK to hang as wished

The country associated with this ‘ngalyipi Jukurrpa’ (snakevine [Tinospora smilacina] Dreaming) is located at Yanjirlpiri (meaning ‘star’ in Warlpiri) (Mt. Nicker) to the west of Yuendumu. The ‘kirda’ (owners) of this Dreaming are Napaljarri/Nungarrayi women and Japaljarri/Jungarrayi men.

‘Ngalyipi’ (snakevine) is a green creeper that climbs up the trunks and branches of trees and shrubs. The plant is found on sandy spinifex plains and sandhills. ‘Ngalyipi’ is frequently depicted in paintings due to its many uses and its great ceremonial importance. The vine can be used as a shoulder strap to carry ‘parraja’ (coolamons) and ‘ngami’ (water carriers). The plant also has medicinal uses; its vines are used as tourniquets, and its leaves and vines are used as bandages for wounds. Warlpiri sometimes also chew the leaves to treat severe colds. ‘Ngalyipi’ stems can be pounded between stones and tied around the forehead to cure headaches. In men’s initiation, ‘ngalyipi’ is used to tie the ‘witi’ (ceremonial poles) to the shins of the dancing initiates, and to tie ‘yukurruyukurru’ (dancing boards) to dancers’ bodies. The initiation ceremonies associated with the ‘ngalyipi’ Dreaming at Yanjirlpiri are for the sons and grandsons of Japaljarri and Jungarrayi men. Napaljarri and Nungarrayi women dance at these ceremonies, and then look away and block their ears when the men dance. This ‘witi’ ceremony is performed at night under the stars.

The importance of Yanjirlpiri cannot be overemphasized, as young boys are brought here to be initiated from as far away as Pitjantjatjara country to the south and from Lajamanu to the north. A number of major Dreaming tracks pass through Yanjirlpiri in addition to the ‘ngalyipi Jukurrpa’ (snakevine Dreaming), including ‘karnta Jukurrpa’ (womens’ Dreaming) and ‘wati-jarra Jukurrpa’ (two men Dreaming). Yanjirlpiri is also important due to its association with a major ‘janganpa Jukurrpa’ (brush-tailed possum [Trichosurus vulpecula] Dreaming).

In Warlpiri paintings, traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa and other elements. In many paintings of this Jukurrpa, sinuous lines are used to represent the ‘ngalyipi’ (snake vine). Straight lines are used to represent the ‘witi’ (ceremonial poles) and ‘karlangu’ (digging sticks).

Geraldine Napangardi Granites was born and has lived in Yuendumu all her life. Yuendumu is a remote Aboriginal community located 290 kms north-west of Alice Springs in the NT of Australia. Geraldine is the daughter of Alma Nungarrayi Granites, a strong participant of Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation and granddaughter of Paddy Japaljarri Sims (dec) and Bessie Nakamarra Sims (Dec): two of Warlukurlangu Artists founding artists. She attended the local school and has two sisters and one brother who also paint with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre located in Yuendumu. She also has four children, 2 sons and 2 daughters. She is a shy person who is very involved with her large extended family and enjoys being around children and helping the family’s grandchildren. Geraldine learns by observing her grandfather’s art works as well as Judy Napangardi Watson’s work (a Warlpiri artist who is at the forefront of a move towards more abstract rendering of Jukurrpa /Dreaming stories). When Judy visits Yuendumu and the Warlukurlangu Art Centre Geraldine loves to listen to Judy’s stories about a special country, Mina Mina. She also paints alongside her mother Alma and sister Sabrina and observes them while they paint their art work. Geraldine is working hard to develop a modern interpretation of the traditional culture. Geraldine started painting at the Centre two years ago and paints the Mina Mina Dreaming story which is an important woman’s story.