Original Artwork from a Community-Run, Not-for-Profit Art Centre, Complete with a Certificate of Authenticity Issued by Them.
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This painting tells the story of a Jangala ‘watiya-warnu’ (Acacia tenuissima) ancestor who travelled south from a small hill called Ngurlupurranyangu to Yamunturrngu (Mount Liebig). As he travelled he picked the ‘watiya-warnu’ seeds and placed them in ‘parrajas’ (food carriers), one of which he carried on his head. Watiya-warnu is a seed bearing tree that grows in open spinifex or mulga country. When people returned to their camp after collecting the seeds they would make large windbreaks for shelter and winnow the seed in the late afternoon. Immature ‘watiya-warnu’ seed is ground into a paste and can be used to treat upset stomachs. The associated ‘watiya-warnu’ ceremony involves the preparation of a large ground painting. This Jukurrpa belongs to Nampijinpa/Nangala women and Jampijinpa/Jangala men. In contemporary Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa, particular sites and other elements. In paintings of this Dreaming ‘U’ shapes are often depicting women collecting the ‘watiya-warnu’ seeds. Oval shapes represent the ‘parrajas’ where they carry the seeds and strait lines beside them frequently portrait digging sticks.
Elsie Nampijinpa Moore was born in 1960 at Yuendumu, a remote Aboriginal community, 290 km north west of Alice Springs in the NT of Australia. She grew up in Yuendumu, attending the local school and spending much of her time in the surrounding country learning about her culture and law through story.
Elsie Nampijinpa began painting with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre located in Yuendumu, in 2015. She paints her Wanakiji Jukurrpa (Bush Tomato Dreaming) and Watiya-warmuJukurrpa (Seed Dreaming), Dreamings which relate directly to her land, its features and the plants and animals that inhabit it. These stories were passed down to her by her parents and their parents before them, for millennia. She loves colour and uses an unrestricted palette to depict her traditional iconography, at the same time developing a modern individualist style, using pattern and design in a variety of contexts.
When Elsie is not painting, she spends time with her extended family and friends.
While every gallery can provide a certificate of authenticity, only those issued by community-run Aboriginal Art Centres ensure ethical purchasing and documentation. Any gallery can produce a certificate with an inkjet printer, but these do not guarantee ethical practices if they do not come from an Aboriginal community art centre. Alternate certificates are a big red flag. All of our paintings come with a certificate of authenticity provided by the community-run Aboriginal Art Centre, ensuring the gold standard for ethical purchasing.
We offer a lifetime money-back authenticity guarantee and 120-day returns to ensure you are always getting an authentic piece of art from ART ARK®. Your peace of mind in knowing you are purchasing genuine Aboriginal Art is important to us.
Please find more information on authenticity here: Aboriginal Art Authenticity
This painting arrives to us pre-stretched, allowing us to send it to you while maintaining consistent and transparent pricing related to the prices set by each Aboriginal art centre.
100% ready for your wall, this painting will look fabulous straight out of the box. If you would like to jazz it up further, we have been impressed by the quality of the ANKO float frames available at Target and Kmart. They are $11, and you can paint them or leave them as is. Plus, you get a canvas with them to create something of your own.
There are some other options out there but they are poorly made.
Please find further general details and examples relating to framing here: How to Frame Your Aboriginal Art
By sharing their culture, remote artists create opportunities for themselves. Buying Aboriginal art ethically supports these artists while bringing warmth and meaning into your home.
Beautiful, one-of-a-kind art that fits perfectly into your home. Your purchase supports Aboriginal artists and helps us continue our mission in celebrating and promoting ethical Aboriginal art.
We're confident you will love your artwork, but if it’s not right for any reason, return it within 120 days. Over 1,550 past customers have shared their experiences, and they love their artworks.
Only certificates from community-based Aboriginal art centres guarantee ethical sourcing, ensuring your purchase supports the artist and their community. Every ART ARK® piece includes this documentation, offering transparency and trust in its origin. Proof of provenance ensures authenticity and contributes to the artwork’s long-term value.
Learn more about Aboriginal Art Authenticity.
We take the time to ensure your artwork will arrive as shown. Carefully packed, colour-accurate, and ready to love.
Colours are matched as closely as possible, and with returns under 0.2%, our customers are consistently delighted with their artworks.
We keep pricing transparent by delivering artworks without added third-party costs, allowing us to offer free shipping and maintain pricing in accordance with each art centre. Canvas and linen pieces are sent rolled for safe delivery and easy re-stretching at your local framer.
Learn more about Framing Aboriginal Art.
From Tasmania to your doorstep, no matter where you are in the world. Enjoy free domestic shipping on all orders. International shipping is free for orders over $500 AUD, and a flat rate of $30 applies for orders under that amount.
Customs & Duties: Original artworks under tariff 970191(0000) are duty and tax-free when arriving in the United States and Canada. The UK applies a reduced VAT of 5%, France 5.5%, and Germany 7%. Other countries may have different duty rates, so we recommend checking before purchase.
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