Ben Jangala Gallagher, Janyinki Jukurrpa (Janyinki Dreaming), 122x30cm

• Aboriginal Artist - Ben Jangala Gallagher
• Community - Nyirripi
• Aboriginal Art Centre - Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation
• Catalogue number - 564/09ny
• Materials - Acrylic on linen
• Size(cm) - H122 W30 D2
• Postage variants - This work is posted un-stretched and rolled for safe shipping
• Orientation - Painted from all sides and OK to hang as wished

This Jukurrpa story is from country called Janyinki, close to Yuendumu. Paintings related to the Janyinki area often tell stories associated with men's ceremonial activity in that country. The nature of that activity is so sensitive that no further details can be revealed. On another level, paintings of Janyinki Dreaming also often relate stories of women travelling through the area collecting bush foods. In contemporary Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa, associated sites and other elements. In paintings of this Dreaming, the sites where women collected bush foods are often shown as concentric circles or roundels. Clapping sticks, used as musical accompaniment to the singing involved in the men's ceremonial activity, are usually shown as twin parallel lines. Janyinki country is also significant to its custodians for the various Jukurrpa that pass through the area, including that of the night parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis), a small parrot considered to be 'critically endangered' and close to extinction, who’s ancestral home was in the area.

“I like painting because it’s my dreaming” Ben Jangala Gallagher was born in Yuendumu, a remote Aboriginal community located 290 km north-west of Alice Springs in the NT of Australia. His mother is Mary Napangardi Gallagher and his father is Charlie Jampijinpa Gallagher (dec). His family moved to Nyirripi in 1978. His mother paints with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre located in Yuendumu. He has four brothers, Duncan, Richard, Eldy and Rea. After attending the local school in Yuendumu Ben became a carpenter, travelling around the country building houses. He is married to Sarah Napurrurla White, who also paints for Warlukurlangu Artists. They have one daughter. Ben has been painting with Warlukurlangu Artists since 2007. He paints his Jukurrpa stories, stories which relate directly to his land, its features and animals. Dreamings include Yankirri Jukurrpa (Emu dreaming) Warlawaurru Jukurrpa (Wedge-tailed Eagle Dreaming) and Janyinki Jukurrpa (Janyinki dreaming), an area close to Yuendumu. When not working or painting he loves to play sport.