Budgerigar Dreaming (Ngatijirri Jukurrpa)
Artist:
Ruth Napaljarri Stewart
(Australian, born 1940)
Place made:Northern Territory, Australia
General region:Oceania
Culture: Warlpiri language group
Date: 2006
Medium: Acrylic on Belgian linen
Dimensions:
35 13/16 x 18 1/8 in. (91 x 46 cm)
Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, gift of the Lam Family
Object number: 2016.14.49
Copyright: © Ruth Napaljarri Stewart
Provenance: May Lam and Dr. Dorothy Lam, by gift to the San Antonio Museum of Art, 2016
Label Text
The Budgerigar Dreaming is a subject often painted by Ruth Napaljarri Stewart. Napaljarri/Nungarrayi women and Japaljarri/Jungarrayi men are custodians of this Dreaming. The X-shaped marks within this work are symbolic of the footprints of the budgerigar bird (Ngatijirri). The budgerigar or “budgie,” also known as the common parakeet, is a bright green and yellow bird native to central Australia. The birds, as well as their eggs, are considered a delicacy. During the Creation Period, ancestral beings traveled around their country, and each time a flock of Ngatijirri
landed, the ancestors would perform ceremonies at that location.
(Exhibition label, 2017)
landed, the ancestors would perform ceremonies at that location.
(Exhibition label, 2017)
Not on view
In Collection(s)
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
