Aboriginal Painting - Mina Mina

Aboriginal Painting Title: Mina Mina (Great Investment) 
Aboriginal Artist: Judy Watson Napangardi 1925-2013
Size: 90 x 60 cm Unframed
Medium: Acrylic on canvas

Authenticity:
COA and pictures of the artist holding and signing her work will be provided.

Story:

This artwork depicts Judy Watson Napangardi’s journey, when she and other Warlpiri women from Yuedumu walked on foot for long periods at a time, gathering Bush tucker. The characteristics in this work are associated with Mina Mina country and Yingipurlangu, the artist’s homeland on the border of the Tanami and Gibson Deserts in Central Australia. Mina Mina country is a place significant to Napangardi and Napanangka women, who are the custodians of this Dreaming.

Ancestral Movements and Rituals

This mesmerizing artwork portrays the ancestral journey of the Mina Mina women as they traversed Salt Lake Mackay in Central Australia. Armed with digging sticks, they conducted ceremonies and harvested bush tucker along the way, infusing the land with sacred energy. Mina Mina stands as the ancestral abode of Napangardi and Napanangka family groups, a testament to their enduring connection to the land.

Birthplace of Tradition

Legend has it that Mina Mina is the birthplace of the digging stick, with a lush stand of Eucalyptus trees standing as a silent testament to this ancient tradition. As the Warlpiri Snake Ancestor journeyed northward, he encountered the dancing women, their movements stirring the very dust beneath their feet. In a mystical display, the ancestral snake was lifted into the heavens, forever intertwined with the essence of Mina Mina.

Artistic Expression and Cultural Heritage

The essence of Mina Mina permeates through the vibrant hues and intricate designs of this artwork, capturing the spirit of Yingipurlangu, the artist’s homeland. Custodians of this sacred Dreaming, Napangardi, and Napanangka women continue to honor their heritage through timeless ceremonies, reenacting the ancient creation story with each chant, dance, and stroke of the brush.