Warlukurlangu Artists X Vue Quilt Cover Set Kurrkara Jukurrpa (Desert Oak Dreaming) By Judy Napangardi Watson

Judy Napangardi Watson was born at Yarungkanji, Mt. Doreen Station. With her family Judy made many trips on foot to her country and lived for long periods at Mina Mina and Yingipurlangu, her ancestral country on the border of the Tanami and Gibson Deserts. Judy was taught painting by her elder sister, Maggie Napangardi Watson. She painted alongside her at Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre in Yuendumu, for a number of years, developing her own unique style. She was a woman of incredible energy; this was transmittied to her work through her dynamic use of colour, and energetic “dragged doting” style.

This Kurrkara Jukurrpa (desert oak Dreaming) comes from Mina Mina. Mina Mina is an extremely important ceremonial site for Napangardi and Napanangka women that is located approximately 600kms west of Yuendumu, just east of Lake Mackay and the WA border. The area has a marluri (salt lake or claypan) that is usually dry, without water. There are also a number of mulju (soakages), sandhills, and a large stand of kurrkara (desert oaks), which this painting depicts. The Mina Mina Jukurrpa is an important source of Warlpiri ritual knowledge and social organization, particularly relating to the different roles performed by men and women.