Wati Ngintaka (Perentie Lizard Man) – Reggie Uluru

“This is a straight story, from the Tjukurpa (Creation Time), and nobody can change that story. This is about the Ngintaka.. it’s an old story, taught by my father and my grandfather.”

In the Tjukurpa, the Creation Ancestors travelled the unformed land and through their everyday activities and adventures shaped its features and left behind information for humans to follow. In the northern ranges of South Australia is a long chain of land forms marking the passage of Wati Ngintaka (Perentie Lizard Man). He stole a grindstone and headed west, pursued by the rightful owners and hiding it magically in his tail every time they caught up with him. They finally killed him for his theft and the story has been passed down for centuries in the Tjukurpa or song and ceremony.

Anangu feel strongly about continuing to teach and learn Tjukurpa and their art is important and vital work. It sustains them economically, physically and culturally. It keeps the stories and traditions alive.

“I’m happy doing art, because I’m explaining my story. People will see the expression of what I’m trying to tell in the painting.. my history, my culture… I’m promoting my culture through art.”  Reggie Uluru