Nancy Nungarrayi Collins, Ngalyipi Jukurrpa (Snake Vine Dreaming) - Yanjirlpiri, 91x61cm

• Aboriginal Artist - Nancy Nungarrayi Collins
• Community - Yuendumu  
• Aboriginal Art Centre - Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation  
• Catalogue number - 1007/13
• Materials - Acrylic on linen
• Size(cm) - H91 W61 D2 
• Postage variants - Artwork posted un-stretched and rolled for safe shipping
• Orientation - Painted from all sides and OK to hang as wished

Japaljarri/Jungarrayi men and Napaljarri/Nungarrayi women are the ‘kirda’ (custodians) of the Ngalyipi Jukurrpa (snake vine [Tinospora smilacina]). The country associated with this Jukurrpa is at Yanjirlpiri (Mt. Nicker) to the west of Yuendumu. ‘Ngalyipi’ is a green creeper which curls its tendrils around the trunks and branches of trees and has many uses. Traditionally it was used as a strap to carry ‘parraja’ (wooden food carrying dishes), as a cure for headaches (it was wrapped very tightly around the head), as a rope and as a ceremonial wrap during the ‘witi’ ceremony for the initiation of the sons and grandsons of the Japaljarri and Jungarrayi men. ‘Ngalypi’ was also used to tie ‘witi’ (ceremonial) poles to the legs of the young initiates. The women danced and sang at the ceremony and then had to look away and block their ears when the men danced. The ‘witi’ ceremony happened at night under the stars.

Nancy Nungarrayi Collins was born in Yuendumu, a remote Aboriginal community located 290 kms north-west of Alice Springs in the NT of Australia. She went to the local school and then studied through Batchelor College in both Alice Springs and Katherine where she trained as a teacher assistant. After she graduated she worked in her local school for many years. Nancy is the daughter of Ruby Nakamarra Collins, an artist working with Warlukurlangu Artists. She is married to Tommy Jangala Watson who is also an artist working with Warlukurlangu Art Centre. They have three children, a daughter, and two sons, one of which is adopted. Nancy has been working with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre located in Yuendumu, since 1995. Nancy mainly paints her father’s Jukurrpa stories, Dreamings that relate to her country, its features and its animals. When Nancy is not painting or looking after her children she loves to go hunting, especially for goanna but not for snakes! She also likes to visit her large extended family, those who live in the Central Desert Shire at Tennant Creek and Lajamanu.