Peggy Rockman Napaljarri

Tjulpa’ (Little Hopping Birds). The circular motif in the centre of the painting represents the waterhole or soak in which the small birds have come across for a drink. The path in which the birds have are evident through the directional lines heading straight to the waterhole. The dotted background represents the movement of the desert land and the little bird prints are a clear indication that Tjulpa has been here. This is the Tjulp bird. It is a little one. It’s out there near Lajamanu, near Balgo too. The Ngatijirri, or budgerigah dreaming belongs to Napaltjarri and Nungurrayi women. The dreaming begins at Lima, east of Balgo in the Tanami Desert, and the northwest of the Warlpiri country. It is where adult budgerigahs lay their eggs in hollow tree trunks.