82 AM 1153/03
Thompson Yulidjirri Yingana (Earth Mother) 2002
Natural ochres on Arches paper 1520 x 510mm $2250
Yingana is the ancestor whose journey resulted in the creation of the binninj or Aboriginal people. Yingana
emerged from the Arafura sea and journeyed inland. She had a large stomach containing many children. She wore a
headband in which many dilly bags full of yams were suspended. She met a spirit man called Wurragag who came
from the sea from the west. After they parted she left spirit children there. Yingana travelled to Coopers Creek
then to the Alligator Rivers. As she travelled she left spirit children and instructed them to speak a specific
language. She planted yams and told the spirit children they were good to eat. She is depicted in this painting
moving across the land from east to west.