About the Artwork

“Kapi (rain) is the main one! Every five years, sometimes it comes with a powerful thunderstorm. When a big thunderstorm comes, we see the red color in the black cloud. We know when lightning strikes that the kunaṯa (hail) is coming. First comes walpa (wind)—big, strong walpa. Then kapi pulka (big rains) fall from the sky. That’s when kunaṯa falls too. If we see big rocks coming down, we hide away. In the old days, you might have had to use a wirra (wooden dish) on your head or hide in a wiltja (shelter)—poor thing! Powerful kunaṯa.

When kunaṯa (hail) hits the ground, it leaves marks, like in the painting. It really shocks the trees and their root systems; after the rains, it brings them back to life!

It comes two ways. Sometimes it comes with no rain, just kunaṯa. Other times, the rain comes too, and walpa blows it to another area. When kunaṯa falls, it fills up the tjukula (waterholes), fills up the creek, fills up everywhere! Then, after the wind blows, good plants come up.

That’s the story, palya.” – Rita Jingo, 2021