Janmarda 86-19

In this painting Emily has depicted designs associated with the Janmarda Tjukurrpa (Onion Dreaming) site of Karrinyarra (Central Mt Wedge). Karinyarra is two hours drive North West of the remote Aboriginal community of Papunya, Northern Territory, where there is a large salt lake and sacred spring. At certain times of year the surrounds become covered with bush onion grass creating a creamy texture across the landscape. Women dig at the grass to find the bush onion that grows at the roots. The bush onions are gathered and cooked on the coals of the fire. Once they are cool enough to be held they are rubbed between the hands so that the outer shell comes away revealing the lovely sweet small onion underneath.

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Emily was born out bush near Papunya. Her mother Entalura Nangala, whom Emily learnt to paint from, is a recognised artist having painted for Warumpi Arts as did Emily. Entalura Nangala is the wife of Don Tjungerrai who was a renown artist. Like her sister, Ada, she is the custodian of a number of women’s Dreaming stories, making her a respected elder in the community. Emily was married and has three children who are living at Yuelamu (Mt Allen or Yalpirakinu). Emily attended Papunya primary school when it was the old building on stilts. Emily's Dreaming relates to a Bush Onion story from Karrinyarra, while her mother's Dreaming is the Honey Ant Ancetors from Ilpili, west of Papunya. Her father's Dreaming associated with the Liru or Snake Ancestors.