Karina Coombes

The story of this painting features Japarra the moon man. Wayayi (curlew bird), the wife of Purrukupali, had an affair with Japarra. During that affair her son passed away. Purrukupali and Japarra fought for the love of Wayai,. That’s when Japarra asked “give me your son and I will take him and bring him back alive”. Purukupali said “No, we are all going to die, and the same is true for my son”. After the fight Japarra rose to the sky and became the moon man. Throughout the year there are periods before the new moon where there is no moon for three days. When the moon does come out, this is Japarra coming out to light up the night sky.