Cushion Cover | Wakirlpirri Jukurrpa by Liddy Napanangka Walker

The main motif of this painting depicts the ‘wakirlpirri’ (dogwood [Acacia coriacea]) tree. ‘Wakirlpirri’ is a very useful tree that grows on the sides of creek beds and near ‘mulga’ trees. The wood can be used to make weapons such as ‘karli’ (boomerangs) and dancing boards for ceremonies. This Jukurrpa travels from Jarrarda-Jarrayi through to Puturlu (Mount Theo) west of Yuendumu. This Jukurrpa belongs to Japanangka/Japangardi men and to Napanangka/Napangardi women.

Liddy Walker Napanangka, born around 1925 at Mt Doreen, was a senior Warlukurlangu artist from Yuendumu who painted her father and grandfather’s Dreamings, including bush foods and animals from Mt Theo. She began painting in the mid-1980s and was deeply connected to her Country through stories of bush tomato, goanna, seed pods, bush potato, and the hopping mouse.

Local label Better World Arts work with Aboriginal artists from remote communities across Australia, from Arnhem Land to Central and the Western Desert regions, to create beautiful, functional artworks for the home.

Designed in Australia and handmade in Kashmir, these cushions are a cultural and economic exchange between Australian Aboriginal artists and traditional cottage industry artisans in Kashmir.