NANCY NYANJILPAYI (NGARNJAPAYI) CHAPMAN & MAYIKA CHAPMAN

Nyayartakujarra is a vast and culturally significant salt lake located in the north east section of the Karlamilyi River region. Surrounding Nyayartakujarra are numerous fresh water soaks and the red tali (sandhills) typical of the area Punmu Aboriginal Community, where Nyanjilpayi lives today, lies on the eastern edge of the lake

Nyayartakujarra is an important site in the Jila Kujarra (Two Snakes) Jukurrpa (Dreaming) narrative

Nancy Nyanjilpayi (Ngarnjapayi) Chapman and Mayika Chapman

Nyayartakujarra (Lake Dora) | acrylic on canvas

76 x 46cm | ART23-180coll

This painting shows Nyayartakujarra (Lake Dora) and the waterholes. In pujiman days we all walked from waterhole to waterhole. We were travelling around for a long time; we were all naked! We grew up walking all around these waterholes. This painting is a map from that time. All of these waterholes are still here , with all of the songs and all of the dances. We are still singing and dancing for this Country.

Martu people identify with their ' ngurra ' (home Country, camp) in terms of specific rights and responsibilities, and the possession of intimate knowledge of the physical and cultural properties of one ’ s Country Painting ngurra, and in so doing sharing the Jukurrpa (Dreaming) stories and physical characteristics of that place, has today become an important means of cultural maintenance