Aboriginal Tea Towel - Judy Watson

ABOUT THE DESIGN - MINA MINA JUKURRPA (Mina Mina Dreaming)

The country associated with this Jukurrpa is Mina Mina, a place far to the west of Yuendumu, which is significant to Napangardi and Napanangka women, the custodians of the Jukurrpa that created the area.

The Jukurrpa story tells of the journey of a group of women of all ages who travelled to the east gathering food, collecting Ngalyyipi (Tinospora smilacina or snake vine) and performing ceremonies as they travelled. The women began their jouney at Mina Mina where Karla-ngu (digging sticks) emerged from the ground.  Taking these implements the women travelled east creating Janyinki and other sites.

Their journey took them far to the east beyond the boundaries of Warlpiri country. The Ngalyipi vine grows up the trunks and limbs of the Kurrkara (Desert Oak, Allocasuarina decaisneana) trees.  Ngalyipi is a vine sacred to Napangardi and Napanangka women and has many uses, including as a ceremonial wrap, as a strap to carry Parrajas (wooden bowls) laden with bush tucker, and as a torniquet for headaches.

ABOUT THE ARTIST - JUDY WATSON

Judy Watson was born at Yarungkanji, Mt Doreen Station, at the time when many Warlpiri and other Central & Western Desert Peoples were living a traditional nomadic life.  Judy was taught painting by her elder sister, Maggie Napangardi Watson.

She painted alongside her at Warlukurlangu artists for a number of years, developing her own unique style.

She is at the forefront of a move towards more abstract rendering of Jukurrpa by Warlpiri artists, however her work retains strong kurruwarri, the details which tell of the sacredness of place and song in her culture.

Judy Napangardi Watson has been exhibiting artwork since 1990 throughout Australia and around the world; including exhibitions in England, USA, China, Japan and the Netherlands.

Her works are featured in several major collections.