We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Manakarra (bush tucker) Dreaming at Ngila

1996

Artist

Nowee Nangala

Australia

circa 1930 – circa 1998

Language group: Kukatja, Western Desert region

  • Details

    Place where the work was made
    Kiwirrkurra → East Gibson Desert → Western Australia → Australia
    Date
    1996
    Media category
    Painting
    Materials used
    synthetic polymer paint on linen canvas
    Dimensions
    55.0 x 61.0 cm
    Signature & date

    Not signed. Not dated.

    Credit
    Mollie Gowing Acquisition fund for Contemporary Aboriginal art 1997
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    77.1997
    Copyright
    © Estate of Nowee Nangala/Copyright Agency

    Reproduction requests

    Artist information
    Nowee Nangala

    Works in the collection

    1

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  • About

    This painting depicts designs associated with the Manakarra (bush tucker) Dreaming at Ngila, far to the west of the Kiwirrkura Community. This mythology forms part of the secret Tingari Cycle. Since events associated with the Tingari Cycle are of a secret nature no further detail was given.

    Generally, the Tingari are a group of mythical characters of the Dreaming who travelled over vast stretches of the country, performing rituals and creating and shaping particular sites. The Tingari Men were usually followed by the Tingari Women and accompanied by novices and their travels and adventures are enshrined in a number of song cycles. These mythologies form part of the teachings of the post initiatory youths today as well as providing explanations for contemporary customs.

    Documenation Card, Papunya Tula Artists Pty Ltd, 1996

  • Exhibition history

    Shown in 1 exhibition

    • Papunya Women, Utopia Art Sydney Pty Ltd, Alexandria, 16 Nov 1996–14 Dec 1996

  • Bibliography

    Referenced in 1 publication