About the Artwork

Artist: Josephine Mick and Ina Scales

Size: 137cm x 137cm

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

Josephine Mick is an artist from the APY Lands (Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara) in the far north-west of South Australia. As a Ngangkari (traditional healer) and senior cultural leader, Josephine carries responsibility for these stories and the laws they embody, bringing them to life through her artwork, ceremonies, and songs.

This painting forms part of the Tjukurpa of Wati Tjakura, the edible skink ancestor. In this story, the Warnmala (army) of Wati Wanampi (snake men) from Kata Tjuta and Malara go to battle against Wati Tjakura with spears. 

This begins at the base of Uluru that interconnects with the Tjukurpa of Aralya.

In this painting, my daughter and I painted our Tjukurpa. 

After the rain the bush flowers bloom for the Tjakura to eat. 

The rock formations, waterhole, the cave and the sand dunes tells our Tjukurpa.