Leston Japaljarri Spencer, Warna Jukurrpa (Snake Dreaming), 122x76cm

• Aboriginal Artist - Leston Japaljarri Spencer
• Community - Nyirripi
• Aboriginal Art Centre - Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation
• Catalogue number - 1030/24ny
• Materials - Acrylic on linen
• Size(cm) - H122 W76 D2
• Postage variants - Artwork is posted un-stretched and rolled for shipping
• Orientation - Painted from all sides and OK to hang as wished

The place depicted in this painting, Ngama, is located south of Yuendumu in the Northern Territory. This Dreaming belongs to Nakamarra/Napurrurla women and Jakamarra/Jupurrurla men. This story describes the journey of Yarripiri, an ancestral ‘warna’ (snake). He travelled from Wirnparrku near Mt. Liebig to Yimparlu, and continued its way through the territories of Ngapanangka-jarra, Warlajirryi, Kurnmundu, Yinyirrinyi on to Ngama. Later Yarripiri travelled further north via Mijirlparnta (Mission Creek) and right through to the top end of Australia.Yarripiri was very sad as his family had left him behind at Wirnparrku. He was blind and crippled but he was determined to follow and search them out. He had to be carried. This was the job undertaken by the ‘kurdungurlu’ (ceremonial police) of the Dreaming: the Nangala/Nampijinpa women and Jangala/Jampijinpa men. Where Yarripiri's tail slumped and touched the ground creeks were formed, such as Mijirlparnta, west of Yuendumu. Yarripiri tracks and paths are often represented by arc shapes or curved lines depicted across the canvas.

Leston Spencer was born in Alice Springs in 1988 and grew up in Nyirripi community, which is 500 kms NW of Alice Springs. He attended the local school and has worked in various community organisations including the local Council. He is married to the beautiful Theo Nangala Hudson and they have five sons together. Leston has been painting with Warlukurlangu Artists since 2012. His wife also paints for Warlukurlangu Artists. Like most of the Warlpiri artists who paint for Warlukurlangu, he paints his traditional stories of country that have been passed down from generation to generation for Millenia.