Emu Dreamingby Karen Napaljarri Barnes

This small bright artwork by Karen Napaljarri Barnes depicts the story associated with Emu Dreaming. In the painting the site of the Yankirri Jukurrpa (Emu Dreaming) is at Ngarlikurlangu, which is located to the north of Yuendumu Community. The Yankirri travelled to the rockhole at Ngarlikurlangu to find water. This Dreaming story belongs to the men of the Jangala/Jampijinpa skin groups and the women of the Nangala/Nampijinpa skin groups. In contemporary Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa, associated sites and other elements. Emus are usually represented by their "Wiriliya (foot prints), which appear as arrow like shapes that show them walking around Ngarlikurlangu eating "Yakajirri" (Bush Raisin). Karen has used this traditional symbol throughout her painting. In the time of the Jukurrpa there was a fight at Ngarlikurlangu between a "Yakajirri" ancestor and the "Wardillkya" (Australian Bustard) ancestor over sharing the Yakajirri. There is also a dance for this Jukurrpa that is performed during initiation ceremonies.

Artist:Karen Napaljarri Barnes
Title:Emu Dreaming
ID:170114
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas
Size:30 x 30 cm
Region:Yuendumu, Central Australia

Artist

Karen Napaljarri Barnes was born on the 14th March 1992 and is the granddaughter of famous Warlpiri artist Judy Napangardi Watson. Karen was born at Lajamanu, a remote Aboriginal community on the edge of the Tanami Desert in Central Australia.

As a young girl once she had completed school she relocated to Yuendumu Community to be closer with her family. It was here that she spent a great deal of time with her grandmother Judy Napangardi Watsonand and began to paint regularly with her in 2001. Since that time Karen has worked with Warlukurlangu – Artists of Yuendumu on a regular basis and it is through them that her artworks can be found in galleries around Australia. Her paintings have also been featured in several group exhibitions around Australia and overseas.

Karen paints her Dreamtime story of Yankirri Jukurrpa (Emu Dreaming) which has been passed down to her by her family. Her Dreamtime stories come from Mina Mina country.

Central Art is excited to be able to feature her artworks on our website.

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Why Sabine likes this

I like this painting as it uses some bright bold colours as well as depicts traditional iconography. When I look at the painting I see the success of blending ancient with new.