About the Artwork

“Kapi (rain) is the main one! Every 5 years, sometimes it comes with a powerful thunderstorm. When big thunderstorm comes, we know that red colour in the black cloud. We know when lightning hits, that’s when the kunaṯa (hail) is coming. Walpa (wind) first, big strong walpa. Then kapi pulka (big rains) from the sky. That’s when kunaṯa falls too. If we see big rocks coming down, we hide away. In old days you might have 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 system, after rains it brings them back to life!

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

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