2 AM 8072/11
Elaine Warnatjura Lane Wati Kutjarra 2011
Acrylic on canvas 750 x 1500mm SOLD
The story of two men who took the form of goannas, they traveled from Perth across the desert through Blackstone to
Docker River. The two men were powerful magicians. They often punished or killed wrong doers but sometimes went too
far and were cruel in the exercise of their powers. To amuse themselves, they sometimes played the tricksters. They usually
took the form of goanna but they could turn into other animals as well. At Blackstone, they actually tricked each other when
they both changed their appearance at the same time. This is behind the meaning of the name Papulankutja (they couldn’t
recognize each other) which is the indigenous name for the Blackstone community. Finally, when they got to Docker River
they had become so arrogant that they walked straight into some local men’s business even though they were warned not to
by the women. The Docker River men killed them.