This work draws on the Water Dreaming at Pirlinyarnu (Mt Farewell), country west of Yuendumu. In the Jukurrpa, two Jangala rainmakers sang up the clouds and drove a powerful storm across the desert, where it collided with another storm from Wapurtali. The force of these weather fronts shaped the landscape; at Pirlinyarnu a vast maliri (lake) formed.
The kirda (custodians) for this site are Nangala/Nampijinpa women and Jangala/Jampijinpa men.
Two Jangala men, rainmakers, sang the rain, unleashing a giant storm that collided with another storm from Wapurtali at Mirawarri. A 'kirrkarlanji' (brown falcon [Falco berigora]) carried the storm further west from Mirawarri. The two storms travelled across the country from Karlipimpa, a ceremonial site for the water Dreaming near Kintore that is owned by members of the Napaljarri/ Japaljarri and Napanangka/Japanangka subsections. Along the way the storms passed through Juntiparnta, a site that is owned by Jampijinpa men. The storm eventually became too heavy for the falcon. It dropped the water at Pirlinyarnu, where it formed an enormous 'maluri' (claypan). A 'mulju' (soakage) exists in this place today. Whenever it rains today, hundreds of 'ngapangarlpa' (bush ducks) still flock to Pirlinyarnu. As with many Warlpiri works, the painting shares the public aspect of the story; cultural specifics remain held by custodians.
Nangala's approach is measured and assured, aligning contemporary surface with enduring narrative. The work honours the vitality of Ngapa, water as ceremony, weather and life, while mapping the memory of a place where storms meet and Country changes.
Nangala won the 2023 Telstra NATSIAA General Painting Award for Mina Mina, recognition that underscores the assurance and clarity evident in her treatment of Country here.