Rowena Ngwarray Larry

My name is Rowena Ngwarray. My dreaming is Aherr Anengkerr (Red Kangaroo Dreaming) and my country is Janynpardi which is north from here; it is my father’s dreaming, as well as my grandfather’s and great grandfather’s dreaming. I also paint Karnta Dreaming or Woman Dreaming.

Anengkerr (Dreaming) is in the beginning; Anengkerr created the world, language and ceremony.

We used to do body painting when the elders were around. The knowledgeable elders are sick nowadays and they have to leave the community to go to town.

I have been painting for a long time, starting in the 80’s when I already had two sons. Now I have five children and many grandchildren. I like painting my Country and what I see in it, for instance, flowers such as yupali (desert flowers), different types of fruit and bush tucker. I enjoy doing dot painting.

My father was Larry Peltharr Tracker, and my mother was Nancy Kemarr Morton. My grandfather, Jack Ngwarray, was from Coniston. Mum and Dad were Anmatyerr and Warlpiri. I lived in Alice Springs until I was twelve years old. My aunties and my family looked after me. I learnt English first and Warlpiri later. I worked in the clinic helping my people’s families. I started teaching work in 1999 and, now, am working in classroom support at the local Yuelamu school.