LUNKATA, 1978

Papunya Tula Artists, Alice Springs Bellas Gallery, Brisbane (label attached verso)
Private collection, Queensland

A copy of the Bellas Gallery exhibition catalogue states in part: ‘The key mythological site in this depiction is Lunkata. The name given to this place refers to an old Blue Tongue Lizard man who came to this place in the creative era.‘The country referred to lies to West North West of Alice Springs, in the vicinity of Lake Mackay. Here, in the beginnings of time, Lunkata travelled about; and the wavy lines with dots on either side represent his tracks, while the three U shapes indicate where he camped or “sat down”. However, the painting also illustrates the anthropomorphic nature of Lunkata, for while the tracks are those of the presentday Blue Tongue Lizard, he is also perceived as a man – spear, woomera and boomerang are depicted between the lower two key elements of the painting, while his fire stick is represented by the straightline bar near the lower set of concentric circles.’