Madeline Napangardi Abbott

I like to do painting. I grew up Yuendumu, Nyirripi, (mother’s side) and Papunya and Mt Liebig (father’s side). I am Warlpiri and Luritja. I went to school at Papunya and Mt Liebig and Alice Springs High School at Traeger Park. I have lots of sisters and brothers from mother’s and father’s side. I worked at Nyirripi shop, the old one.

I learnt painting first at Nyirripi from my Aunty, mum’s sister; coolamon and music sticks. I used to look and ask Aunty can I do one. Started on music stick and coolamon. From there I used to see my mum painting, then I started doing it. I learned from my aunties and my mum. Now Sherise (daughter) is also doing it. We all learned from Mum, Martina and Tania, my sisters. We are from one mother but different fathers.
I was painting from when I had two kids – and living with my mum at Alice Springs and we used to do painting there. I only had two little ones at that time.

My dreaming stories are women and waterholes. The place is Kaltinga, near Mt Liebig. My Jukurrpa (Dreaming) goes from north to south. My great grandfather on my father’s side (his dreaming is) waterhole, rock hole, west, north of Mt Liebig. Father was born there – Sandy Opal Japanangka Abbott. My grandfather been travelling from north to south. My grandmother was pregnant, my father was born there. The Jukurrpa (Dreaming) is about travelling to Kaltinga, travelling to water.

Witchetty grub is also my Jukurrpa (Dreaming), and Rainbow Serpent Jukurrpa. The woman was digging, pulling witchetty grub, putting it outside. One changed into the Rainbow Serpent. Woman turned around and saw the witchetty grub had changed into the Rainbow Serpent.
My husband belongs to here, Yuelamu. Samuel Jampijinpa Tilmouth. He is Anmatyerr and Warlpiri. Abbott family stopping at Wallace Rockhole.
Spinifex Jukurrpa (Dreaming) is my mother’s side. Also, Bush Plum, from my mother’s side’s Jukurrpa (Dreaming) at Pikili and other side, Nyirripi way. Bush Potato is also mother’s side. Mum showed me this one here. Mum told me about it and I painted it when I was learning painting at her house in Alice Springs. I can do Bush Banana Jukurrpa too.

I got five children, and adopted five children. I have six grandchildren and great grandchildren.

I like doing painting because I like to paint our Jukurrpa (Dreaming). I like painting both my mum and my dad’s side so that my children can learn from me. It’s really important that they know their Jukurrpa too.