Stewart Jupurrurla Kelly, Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming) - Wapurtali, 30x30cm
Original Work of Art (they all are!)
Certified by Community Art Centre
Fast & Free Delivery
120 Day Returns
Authenticity Guarantee
Colour Correct Images
1510+ Reviews
- Details
- Artwork
- Artist
- Aboriginal Artist - Stewart Jupurrurla Kelly
- Community - Yuendumu
- Aboriginal Art Centre - Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation
- Catalogue number - 2893/18
- Materials - Acrylic on pre-stretched canvas
- Size(cm) - H30 W30 D3.5
- Postage variants - Artwork is posted stretched and ready to hang
- Orientation - Painted from all sides and OK to hang as wished
This ‘ngapa Jukurrpa’ (water Dreaming) comes from Wapurtali (Mt. Singleton), west of Yuendumu. The 'kirda' (owners) of this Dreaming site are Nakamarra/Napurrurla women and Jakamarra/Jupurrurla men. In the Dreamtime, a ‘marlu’ (kangaroo) was cooked at a place called Jalkirri (also called Kalkaji). The smoke from the fire formed ‘milpirri’ (cumulonimbus clouds), and it began to rain. A giant storm formed and travelled with a ‘pamapardu Jukurrpa’ (termite Dreaming) from the east to the west. The two Dreamings travelled from Warntungurru to Warlura, a waterhole 8 miles east of Yuendumu, where a gecko called Yumariyumari blew the storm on to Lapurrukurra and Wilpiri. Bolts of lightning shot out at Wirnpa (also called Mardinymardinypa) and at Kanaralji. At this point the Dreaming track also includes the ‘kurdukurdu mangkurdu Jukurrpa’ (children of the clouds Dreaming). The water Dreaming built hills at Ngamangama using baby clouds, and stuck long pointy clouds into the ground at Jukajuka, where they can still be seen today as rock formations.
The termite Dreaming eventually continued west to Nyirrpi, a community approximately 160 km west of Yuendumu. The water Dreaming then travelled from the south over Mikanji, a watercourse with soakages northwest of Yuendumu. The portion of the Dreaming that passes through Mikanji is owned by the Nangala/Jangala and Nampijinpa/Jampijinpa subsections. At Mikanji, the storm was picked up by a ‘kirrkarlanji’ (brown falcon [Falco berigora]) and taken farther north. After stopping at Puyurru, the water Dreaming travelled on through other locations including Yalyarilalku, Mikilyparnta, Katalpi, Lungkardajarra, Jirawarnpa, Kamira, Yurrunjuku, and Jikaya before moving on into Gurindji country to the north.
In contemporary Warlpiri paintings, traditional iconography is used to represent the ‘Jukurrpa’ (Dreaming), associated sites, and other elements. Short dashes are often used to represent ‘mangkurdu’ (cumulus & stratocumulus clouds), and longer, flowing lines represent ‘ngawarra’ (flood waters). Small circles are used to depict ‘mulju’ (soakages) and river beds.
Details currently unavailable
Unique and Original Aboriginal Art in the United States
Life is better with art, and this beautiful, original piece will be a conversation starter for years to come. Delivered to the USA in around a week, your new artwork will arrive exactly as you see it online—lovingly packed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the community-based, not-for-profit art centre. With colour-accurate images and seamless service, we guarantee that your artwork will arrive promptly and as expected. Enjoy fast, free delivery and 120-day returns, and rest easy knowing you've made an ethical purchase.
*For international orders under $500 AUD, a $30 AUD postage fee applies; otherwise, shipping is free
United States Deliveries and Customs
Fortunately, unlike in most parts of the world, original artworks delivered to the USA are exempt from import duties. This means no additional fees and no lengthy customs delays.
Authenticity Documents
While certificates of authenticity are common, only those from community-based Aboriginal art centres provide assurance of ethical sourcing and documentation. Certificates issued by non-community galleries do not reflect ethical practices, so it's essential to check the origin.
At ART ARK®, every artwork includes a certificate of authenticity issued by the community-run art centre where it was created. Learn more about Aboriginal Art Authenticity.
Framing Aboriginal Art
We deliver artworks exactly as they arrive from the art centres, ensuring transparent pricing with no additional costs. Prices are based on what each centre sets, and we include free postage.
Our canvas and linen paintings are sent rolled for easy re-stretching at your local framer. Bark paintings and smaller works in our Stretched Desert Paintings collection arrive ready to hang. Watercolours should be framed behind glass, whether in a custom or pre-made frame. Learn more about Framing Aboriginal Art.
Customer Testimonials
Our customers consistently praise our fast deliveries, the accuracy of our images, and our ethical business model.
Please read our Customer Reviews to learn more.