Indigenous Art of the Dreamtime

Janet Long Nakamarra

15. Goanna Wardapi 1999, 87 x 68cm

Janet was born in 1960 at Anningie on the traditional lands of her people Warntaparri. She lived a semi-nomadic life with her family and her Aunts May and Molly Napurrula showing her how to paint the ancient body paint designs for her Warntaparri Dreaming.

Through hard work and study Janet gained the status of Linguist with her people and began to teach as a literacy worker at the Willowra School. She produced bilingual literature for use in the teaching program. Although she has lived all her life in Willowra her linguistic talents have led her to many contacts with the rest of Australia. When Vivien Johnson began to compile her dictionary, ‘Aboriginal Artists of the Western Desert’, it was Janet she approached to carry out the translations and correct terminology.

16. Worm Dreaming 1999, 85 x 60cm

In 1989 Janet began to paint her designs and dreamings on small boards after the local store at Willowra began supplying canvas and paints to the Aboriginal artists. When her brother saw her taking an interest in painting he taught her how to use the medium of acrylics on canvas. She saw this as an opportunity to teach people about her culture and world as a whole.

Through her knowledge of language (she speaks 8 dialects) Janet is able to translate her detailed dreamings on to canvas in a way that sets her apart from other painters. She is also the author of books on traditional bush medicine and women’s health and is completing a degree at Darwin’s University of the Northern Territory. The stories that she writes for the paintings are as fascinating as the paintings themselves. These stories tell of the mythology and religion of her people in a way that may be easily understood by any outsider. For Janet the writing of the story, on the reverse side of the canvas, is an important inclusion for any purchaser of her work, and for herself, because it guarantees the continued flow of knowledge.

Although she is a relative newcomer as an artist, her work and reputation is gaining rapid recognition. She has exhibited at the Parker Gallery in Sydney, the Fireworks Gallery in Brisbane, Wagner Gallery Hong Kong, Gondwana Gallery Rome and Holdsworth Gallery Sydney. In 1998 her works were featured in the “Out of Australia” exhibition at Lui Hai-Su National Art Museum, Shanghai China and Aboriginal Art Galleries of Australia Melbourne, Jinta Desert Art Gallery Sydney and Aboriginal Desert Art Gallery Alice Springs. Just prior to the New York exhibition her paintings formed the exclusive basis for a one-person exhibition in Sydney’s Chifley Square. This proved to be a sell-out show.

17. Goanna Wardapi 1998, 126 x 52cm


18. Frog Dreaming 1999, 127 x 55cm

A rapid wave of interest in her work has now developed to the point where, many private and public collectors are now acquiring her works and commissioning new pieces from her. Janet’s future seems assured and she is already one of the confirmed ‘rising stars’ of the Australian art world. However, Janet is also very much aware that she is a link in a very long chain of Aboriginal occupation of this land and a carrier of many traditions and dreamings handed to her by the ‘old’ people. Her being in this unique position has inevitably led to interest from collectors and investors on a national and international level who understand the importance of maintaining the bases of a society. Janet Long Nakamarra, author, linguist, singer and painter is certainly playing her part.

19. Witchetty Grub Wapilingi 1997, 87 x 54cm

20. Serpent Snake, Goanna Wardapi 1999, 130 x 118cm

The circle in the centre represents the site of Wantaparri. The two snakes are the Jamparli representing the fire ceremony Jardiwanpa. The “U” shapes depicted are the holes of a goanna where it lays its eggs. The circles around the snakes are the fire totem poles for the ceremony.

21. Crested Pidgeon 1999, 101 x 65cm

22. Bandicoot Walpajirri 1999, 123 x 77cm

23. Wantaparri 1999, 153 x 124cm



24. Cave Dreaming, Pinki Kirli 1999, 168 x 129cm

The circle in the centre is the site at Little Sandy Creek, Ngarnalkurru. The “U” shapes depict women singing while gather ochre paints from the rocks. The four designs in each corner of the painting depict body paint designs worn by the women in ceremony. The body paint designs represent a Cave Dreaming, Pinki Kirli.

25. Little Sandy Creek, Ngarnalkurru 1999, 154 x 123cm

The circle in the centre represents all of Janet’s dreamings from Warntapari and Little Sandy Creek, Ngarnalkurru.