Warlu Jukurrpa (Fire Dreaming / Rêve du Feu), 2009

Paddy Japaljarri Sims  

Paddy Japaljarri Sims painted the Fire Dreaming (Warlu Jukurrpa), associated with traditional Aboriginal practices of burning spinifex areas in the Central Desert. Fires are lit to drive burrowing skinks, other lizards, and small mammals from their burrows and hiding places. This makes them easier to catch for food and encourages the regrowth of diverse plants, which in turn attract a wider variety of animal species that feed on them.

The custodians of this Dreaming are the Japaljarri/Jungarrayi men and the Napaljarri/Nungarrayi women. The ceremonial police are the Jampijinpa/Nampijinpa and the Jupurrurla/Napurrurla.

This Dreaming is specifically associated with the hunting of burrowing skinks and is celebrated by a corroboree (sacred ceremony). This corroboree is painted on the ground that has been burned and cleared by the fire lit there.

In this painting, the circular motifs represent the water sources, while the curved lines represent the Warlu (Fire) and the flames spreading across the region.

Provenance: Warlukurlangu Artists (Official Aboriginal Artists' Cooperative), Yuendumu, Northern Territory, Australia.
Ref. No: 46−09

The work is accompanied by the official Certificate of Authenticity from the artist's cooperative. The name of the Aboriginal artists' cooperative and the unique registration number assigned to the work are indicated on the back of the canvas, making it possible to trace the ethical and authentic provenance of the piece.