Lake Mackay 1999 by Walala Tjapaltjarri, 152x91cm Cat 3784/4246WT

"Lake Mackay 1999" by Walala Tjapaltjarri is an evocative piece associated with a Jukurrpa (Dreaming) event in the Tingari Cycle, centered around Wilkinkarra (Lake Mackay) in Western Australia. This painting narrates the tale of two old Tingari men hunting Marlu (Kangaroo) by burning spinifex grass with fire sticks to flush out their game. The hunt led them north to Derby in the Kimberley region, passing through Balgo Hills and Halls Creek.

The white rectangles in the painting symbolise the sediment of Lake Mackay, a vast saltwater lake where evaporation leaves extensive clay pans fringed by salt. Within this area, rocky outcrops and rockholes, depicted by yellow and red ochre rectangles, provide essential water and bush foods. During rains, these rockholes become vital water catchment areas. Walala’s use of yellow ochre rectangles illustrates this formation.

Walala and his family traveled through this region, their traditional homeland, maintaining their cultural integrity by avoiding integration with other Pintupi and Euro-Australians.

The Tingari Cycle events are secret and sacred, yet generally, they involve Jukurrpa ancestors who traversed vast landscapes, performing rituals that shaped the land formations. These ancestors were accompanied by novices and followed by Tingari women. Their journeys, enshrined in song cycles, are crucial for post-initiatory teachings and contemporary customs. Walala’s work captures these profound traditions, blending his artistic vision with deep cultural significance.