Billy Stockman Tjapaltjarri
Anmatyerre people NT c.1927-2015
Dreamtime Carpet Snake 1987
Acrylic on linen
212 x 259 cm
BCEC Art Collection
Billy Stockman was born at Ilpitirri (Mt Denison), east of Wilkinkarra (Lake Mackay), near the community of Yuendumu in the Northern Territory. His mother was killed in the Coniston Massacre in 1928 and Billy was raised by his aunt, Clifford Possum’s mother. He was among the first artists of the Papunya painting movement and along with other Anmatyerre artists, was a leader in translating ancient Indigenous stories and traditions for new audiences.
Urnturrkunyu, the Dreamtime Snake, is shown here at Ilpitirri. At the bottom of the painting, he appears having just emerged from one of his subterranean holes. At the top he is about to enter another. Concentric circles are the snake’s holes at Ilpitirra. The background shapes represent two kinds of bush food. No further details could be given as the full story is part of the secret men’s Mallierra ceremonies enacted at the site.
Dreamtime Carpet Snake can be viewed in Plaza Gallery.