9 AM 910/03
Dinny Tjampitjinpa Nolan Water Dreaming 2002
Acrylic on linen 610 x 914mm $2350
This painting depicts a water dreaming ceremony performed at a place called Mikanji, 200 km north west of
Papunya Community. Aboriginal men perform corroborees that invoke the elements of a storm, bringing wind,
rain and lightning into the area. The water flows through the usually dry creek beds replenishing the waterholes
and rejuvenating the bush tucker plants. The concentric circle represents the waterhole in the area and the
curved lines symbolise water flowing across the sand. The strokes or bars to either side of the curving lines
represent the clouds and lightning. These symbols are used in sand mosaics and body paint designs by
Aboriginal men performing this ceremony.