Marlette Napurrurla Ross, Ngarlkirdi Jukurrpa (Witchetty Grub Dreaming), 30x30cm

• Aboriginal Artist - Marlette Napurrurla Ross
• Community - Yuendumu
• Aboriginal Art Centre - Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation
• Catalogue number - 4699/19
• 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 painting depicts Napaljarri and Nungarrayi women (often shown as ‘U’ shaped figures) collecting ‘ngarlkirdi’ (witchetty grubs) in an area known as Kunajarrayi (Mount Nicker) 200 km to the south-west of Yuendumu. Witchetty grubs can be eaten cooked or raw and are edible in all phases of their life cycle. The design of this painting also symbolises important features of initiation ceremonies for young Japaljarri and Jungarrayi men. The area contains many caves (‘pirnki’) overlooking an important ceremonial site associated with the Ngarlkirdi Jukurrpa. This story belongs to the Nungarrayi/Jungarrayi and Napaljarri/Japaljarri subsections. In Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa, particular sites and other elements. Circular shapes are often used to depict the important sites for the ceremony and the long straight lines represent ‘witi’ ceremonial poles, which play an important role during the initiation ceremonies.

Marlette lives in Yuendumu, an Aboriginal community located 290 kms North West of Alice Springs. She lives in Yuendumu with her large extended family. Marlette has been painting through Warlukurlangu Artists, the local Aboriginal owned and governed art centre since 1992. Marlette paints the traditional stories that have been passed down to her by her ancestors, these stories relate directly to her country and the features of the land and animals found in those places. Apart from painting Marlette also works at the local childcare "Kurdu Kurdu Kurlangu' which is the best indigenous childcare in Australia. She is also raising her grandson Caymon. In her spare time she also likes to go out hunting in the country surrounding Yuendumu for traditional tucker including goanna, wild fruits.