Two Man Dreaming

The painting depicts the Story of Two Men and graphic motifs associated with this ceremony.

During the Dreamtime (Creation Time), the Ancestors – Two Men – would leave their camp to hunt kangaroos and other animals. These Ancestors were fully initiated men who carried spears, boomerangs, clubs, and ceremonial objects. From them, the Warlpiri people learned how to hunt, gather food, conduct ceremonies, and make fire.

Lynette Granites Nampijinpa (born c. 1950) has portrayed this Story using the traditional iconography of the Warlpiri people. Ceremonial sites are symbolized by concentric circles. The “U” shapes in the center of the painting represent the Men sitting at camp. Next to them are spears, a woomera (spear-thrower), and a shield. Boomerangs, hairstring used in ceremonies, spears, and shields are shown at the top and bottom sections of the painting. The dotted background represents vegetation.

The artist is a senior woman, respected for her traditional knowledge and artistic work. Her artworks are held in both Australian and international collections.