10 AM 8108/11
Mary Anne Nampijinpa Michaels Lappi Lappi Jukurrpa (Lappi Lappi Dreaming) 2011
Acrylic on Belgian linen 1220 x 1070mm $5093 including resale royalty
The subject of this work is Lappi Lappi, a rock hole near Lake Hazlett, about 90km northwest of Lake Mackay in Western
Australia. The country belongs to Nampijunpa/Jampijinpa and Nangala/Jangala skin groups. Located in a sheltered basin,
the rock hole at Lappi Lappi is a permanent source of water, and is surrounded by country rich in bush tucker. In the time
of the Jukurrpa many mothers with young children would gather there because it was a safe place to stay. The rock hole at
Lappi Lappi is home to a Warnayarra, a rainbow serpent, that travels underground between various rock holes. One day,
women were gathered at the rock hole with their children, singing and dancing. When the Warnayarra heard the sound of
voices, it travelled silently towards them, under the water. When it reached the edge of the rock hole, it rose out of the
water and ate them all.