Wanakiji Jukurrpa (Bush Tomato Dreaming) 1338/23ny (M)

The Wanakiji Jukurrpa (bush tomato [Solanum chippendalei] Dreaming) travels through Yaturlu (near Mount Theo, north of Yuendumu). “Wanakiji” grows in open spinifex country and is a small, prickly plant with purple flowers that bears green fleshy fruit with many small black seeds. After collecting the fruit the seeds are removed with a small wooden spoon called ‘kajalarra’. The fruit then can be eaten raw or threaded onto skewers called ‘turlturrpa’ and then cooked over a fire. ‘Wanakiji’ can also be skewered and left to dry. When they are prepared in this way it is called ‘turlturrpa’ and the fruit can be kept for a long time. In contemporary Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa, particular sites and other elements. The Wanakiji Jukurrpa belongs to Napanangka/Napangardi women and Japanangka/Japangardi men.

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Deborah Napaljarri Wayne was born in 1976 and comes from Yuendumu Community approximately 300km from Alice Springs in Central Australia. She is the daughter of Lee Nangala Gallagher-Wayne and the granddaughter of Mary Napangardi Gallagher, both artists for Warlukurlangu Artists. Deborah was taught by her grandmother to paint and she also paints the Dreamings passed down to her from her grandmother. Deborah's artworks feature lots of black, red, grey, brown and green - reflecting the colours of the land.