Adrianna Nangala Egan

ROYALTIES PAID

COATED INK ON HEMATITE

Artwork: Yarla Jukurrpa (Bush Potato Dreaming) Cockatoo Creek

Story:

This Yarla Jukurrpa belongs to men of the Japaljarri/Jungarrayi subsections and to Napaljarri/Nungarrayi women. It comes from an area to the east of Yuendumu called Cockatoo Creek. ‘Yarla’ (bush potato) are fibrous tubers that grow beneath a low spreading plant, found looking for cracks in the ground. This edible tuber grows from ‘yartura’ (roots) which seek out moisture to sprout new plants.
The Jukurrpa tells of ‘yarla and ‘wapirti’ (bush carrot) ancestors fighting a big battle in this area. The curved lines of the ‘kuruwarru’ (ceremonial designs) represent the ‘ngamarna’ (vine-like tendrils) from which grow ‘jinjirla’ (flowers). ‘Karlangu’ (digging sticks) are used by women to dig for bush tucker like Yarla and Wapirti.