CAL 1. Marsupial Mouse & Rainbow Serpent, Sista Nakamarra Gibson, 1989, 48" x 24"

Sista Nakamarra is from the community of Lajamanu, the northernmost of the desert painting communities. Lajamanu painters are noted for their formal mosaic-like compositions and their bold usage of color.

The story told by Sista Nakamarra in this work, is derived from women’s ceremonial tradition: The Wallaby began his journey at Yumurrpa, an important water hole site, and via a circuitous route connecting up other important sites, he made his way north to the sea. He traveled with Yaripiri one of the smaller incarnations of the Rainbow Serpent, which he wrapped around his head and waist. Yaripiri is often found near waterholes and is feared by the Walpiri, because “It’s a cheeky snake that can steal your Spirit”.

At the site where the journey began there is a rock hole that leads to a cavern with a large underground lake and if you enter the rock hole with torches you can hear the water flowing and see the lake. The water from this underground lake flows northward to the sea following the trail left behind by the Wallaby in the Dreamtime.

In ceremony today women dance with snake-vine wrapped around their waists and heads to personify their ancestor. Digging sticks are used to symbolize the piercing of the ground for water.

The sinuous lines represent both the Rainbow Serpent and the flowing underground water. The E shaped tracks are those left behind by the Wallaby on his journey. The II shapes are ceremonial clapping sticks, which provide the musical accompaniment for the ceremony.