Mitchell Japanangka Martin
Aboriginal Warlpiri man
Mitchell grew up in Nyirripi and then lived in Kintore from 2005 – 2017, where he often saw people painting. Mitchell has completed his first painting with Warlukurlangu Artists in Nyirripi, looking at the work of his Great Great Grandfather Paddy Japanangka Lewis who painted the same Mina Mina Jukurrpa. Mitchell remembers seeing Paddy paint when he lived with him in Yuendumu as a child. Mitchell loves Footy and plays fullback in Nyirripi, he also likes to fix old cars, any sort. Mitchell is waiting to visit his country a long way away.
@warlu_artArtworks
Jaganpa Dreaming
‘Janganpa’ (Brushtail Possums) are nocturnal animals that often nest in hollows of white gum trees. A common story is about a Janganpa ancestor who travelled all over Warlpiri lands visiting various sites during the time of the Dreamtime. This included one site called 'Jangankurlangu' meaning 'belonging to possum.' There is an important initiation ceremony for young men which involves the Janganpa Dreaming. These possums were once found throughout Warlpiri and neighbouring country but have become extinct in recent years due to the introduction of feral animals.
Mina Mina Dreaming
This painting depicts the Dreaming story of the significant Dreaming site Mina Mina, west of Yuendumumu. The story tells of ancestral women dancing on this site, which led to digging sticks rising from the ground. They travelled carrying their digging sticks over their shoulders, adorned with ‘Majardi’ (hairstring belts), white feathers and necklaces made from ‘Yinirnti’ (bean tree seeds). There are a number of different components to the Mina Mina Dreaming; artists usually choose to depict one particular aspect. In this case, Mitchell has decided to focus on depicting the women's digging sticks.
Mina Mina Jukurrpa
Mina Mina is an extremely important ceremonial site for Napangardi and Napanangka women- it is located west of Yuendumu. The area has a 'marluri' (salt lake or claypan) that is usually dry, without water. The Mina Mina Jukurrpa is an important source of Warlpiri ritual knowledge and social organisation, particularly relating to the different roles performed by men and women.
Mina Mina Jukurrpa
The Mina Mina Jukurrpa tells the story of a group of ancestral 'karnta' (women) who traveled from west to east. In the Dreamtime, these ancestral women danced at Mina Mina and 'karlangu' (digging sticks) rose up out of the ground. They collected these digging sticks and started travelling to the east. They carried their digging sticks over their shoulders and they were adorned with 'majardi' (hairstring belts), white feathers and necklaces made from 'yinirti' (bean tree seeds).
