This is a painting of significant jilas (living waterholes) in the Great Sandy Desert. Jilawarntis are important places of stories, dreamings, songs and dance which also connects us to country.

Mangkaja Arts | Kimberley, WA
Acrylic on canvas
120cm (h) x 90cm (w)
$2,500

ARTIST BIO

Japarti Joseph Nugget born in Derby Regional Hospital in 1974. I grew up in Gogo Station (Gooniyandi Country) 15km south of Fitzroy Crossing. Both my parents came out of the Great Sandy Desert. I am a Walmajarri/Juwaliny man my father’s country is Pirntirri Pirntirrri and my mothers country is Wili two jilas (living Springs) in the Great Sandy Desert. I started producing art at a very young age. Inspirations in my life are my families for teaching me our culture and the values of living traditionally. When I was young I have always wondered where my parents traditional country was. In 1990 after receiving my education I worked at the Mangkaja Arts Aboriginal Resource Agency as Exhibitions In 1990 after receiving my education Officer. My Role was to work closely with my elders which gave me the opportunity to travel back to country (Great Sandy Desert). There I acknowledge the connection the artists had with their tradition country. The beauty of desert, sandhills, claypans, salt lakes and the jilas (Living springs) and how much it meant to them……Feeling overwhelm I could see through their eyes and seeing the beauty of their country. I paint my grandfathers country (Pirrimal Jila) from my fathers side and my mother and grandmothers country also my great great grandfathers country.