Emu and Kangaroo Ancestors at Lake Mackay, 1990 by Linda Syddick Napaltjarri - 77x77cm Cat 693LSN

The spirits painted here represent the spirits that are depicted in the rock art at Tjindara (located in Western Australia), a place that is often visited by the Pintupi people. It has been estimated that the paintings found on the rock at Tjindara are at least fifteen thousand years old.

Linda's paintings are rich pictorial works, that reflect the influence of Western civilization. From ET to religious influence, her works beautifully and with wit and style show how she incorporate new elements and events into her art. Most of Linda's paintings are about country and centred around Lake MacKay, a place where she was born. This area was central to the cultural and spiritual life of the Pintupi people for thousands of years and they would travel to the area on their seasonal journeys, camping on the shores and gathering there for ceremonies.

Lake MacKay is a large dry salt lake that straddles the WA-NT border, north-west of Kintore. On occasion it would fill with water and becomes blue, 'like sea water'. When this occurs birds and animals flock to the area.

In this painting, one can sense Linda's sense of humour, creating a contemporary modern child-like depiction of the spirits against a background of soft blue/grey that represents her place of birth, Lake MaKay. The spirits float (an aerial perspective), as well as being enclosed by country.