The Goanna Dreaming (Wardapi Jukurrpa) tells the story of a group of Warlpiri women (Karnta) who were sitting in a circle. Wamaru, a man of the Japangardi skin group from Mt. Theo, approached the women, wanting to take a girl of the Nungarrayi skin group. He took Yurlkurinyi, a Nungarrayi woman, up the hill to make love. The earth then turned into yellow and white ochre (Ngunjungunju) and the man and the circle of women turned into goannas (wardapi).

The yellow and white ochre is still found on the top of the hill. It is used for love magic, as well as ceremonial decoration. Goannas are a type of Australian monitor lizard.

Goanna Dreaming, acrylic on canvas, 30 cm x 46 cm

Goanna Dreaming, acrylic on canvas, 30 cm x 30 cm