We had a visit from this little guy recently and by chance a few artists were painting their Yankirri Jukurrpa (Emu Dreaming). It was pretty awesome though the little guy didn't stay still long! He's alright though for anyone worried, he now calls the Alice Springs Desert Park home :)
In contemporary Warlpiri paintings traditional iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa, associated sites and other elements. Emus are usually represented by their ‘wirliya’ (footprints), arrow-like shapes that show them walking around Ngarlikurlangu (north of Yuendumu) eating ‘yakajirri’ (bush raisin). In the time of the Jukurrpa there was a fight at Ngarlikiurlangu between a ‘yankirri’ ancestor and Wardilyka (Australian bustard) ancestors over sharing the ‘yakajirri’. There is also a dance for this Jukurrpa that is performed during initiation ceremonies.
More info: artark.com.au
