Mina Mina Jukurrpaby Gayle Napangardi Gibson

The country associated with this Jukurrpa is Mina Mina, a place far to the west of Yuendumu in Central Australia. This significant Dreaming site belongs to the Napangardi/ Napanangka women and the Japangardi/Japanangka men. They are 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 'Ngalyipi' and performing performing ceremonies as they travelled. The women began their journey at Mina Mina where 'Karlangu' 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 trucks and limbs of the 'kirrkara trees. 'Ngalyipi is a sacred vine to Napangardi and Napanangka women that has many uses. It can be used as a ceremonial wrap, as a strap with bush tucker and as a tourniquet for headaches.

Artist:Gayle Napangardi Gibson
Title:Mina Mina Jukurrpa
ID:431-16NY
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas
Size:30 x 30 cm
Region:Yuendumu, Central Australia

Artist

Gayle Napangardi Gibson was born in Yuendumu, a remote Aboriginal community located 290 kms northwest of Alice Springs in the NT of Australia. Gayle attended the local school, where she loved studying English and playing sport. After finishing school she went to Batchelor College in Darwin where she trained to become a Teacher's Aid.

Upon returning to Yuendumu she worked at the local school before moving to Nyirripi in 1980. She married Teddy Jakamarra Gibson and they have three daughters who are now grown up, 'One fellow and five grand children'. She has other family members living in Yuendumu and Lajamanu.

Gayle has been painting with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation since 2006. "I just came out one day, and the truck from Yuendumu was there delivering canvas and I decided I wanted to paint. "

Gayle mainly paints her Mina Mina Jukurrpa (Mina Mina Dreaming) from her father's side. But "sometimes I do my mother's Dreaming and sometimes I paint patterns and designs." When Gayle's not painting or looking after her grandchildren she likes to hunt for Bush tucker.

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Why Sabine likes this

I like the traditional iconography used in this small artwork. The red and white of the artwork contrast nicely and allow the eye to focus on the symbols used.