Dennis Nelson Tjakamarra

This painting depicts water dreaming at Kalipinypa. The painting tells the story of an important rain making ceremony involving the rainmakers to invoke storms. Kalipinypa is a powerful storm that brings lightning, thunderclouds and rain to rejuvenate the earth, filling rock holes, clay pans and creeks. It has the power to create new life and growth upon the land. The circles represent kapi tjukitji (rock holes). The meandering lines depict the water flowing throughout the country and the circles are the water or rock holes where the water collects. Background dotting represents the rejuvenating effect the rain has had on the land, bringing out the bush food plants and providing easy access to water.