Artwork Name: Bush Potato Dreaming - Cockatoo Creek
Artist: Letoya Nakamarra Curtis
Size: 30cm x 30cm pre-stretched canvas

Item Code: 10424

Art Story

This Yarla Jukurrpa belongs to men of the Japaijarri/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 by looking for cracks in the ground. This edible tuber grows from 'yartura' (roots) which seek out moisture to spout new plants. Yarla are good to eat, when cooked they are really soft and tasty. The Jukurrpa tells of 'yarla' and 'wapirti' (bush carrot) ancestors fighting a big battle in this area. The specific site associated with this painting is a 'mulju' (water soakage) called Ngarparapunyu. In contemporary Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa, associated sites and other elements. The curved lines of the 'kuruwarri' (ceremonial designs) represent the 'ngamarna' (vine-like tendrils) from which grow 'jinjirla' (flowers). 'Karlangu' (digging sticks) are usually represented as straight lines. 'Karlangu'are used by women to dig for bush tucker like Yarla and Wapirti which are found underground.

Letoya Nakamarra Curtis - Bush Potato Dreaming - Cockatoo Creek 30x30cm