Gold Heart Card – JWA609

The Gold Heart Card – JWA609 features significant artwork by Aboriginal artist Judy Watson, connected to the Mina Mina Jukurrpa (Dreaming). Mina Mina lies far west of Yuendumu and holds deep cultural importance for Napangardi/Napanangka women and Japangardi/Japanangka men, who are custodians of this story.

The Mina Mina Jukurrpa tells of a group of women of all ages who travelled east, gathering food, collecting ngalyipi (snake vine – Tinospora smilacina), and performing ceremonies along the way. Their journey began at Mina Mina, where karlangu (digging sticks) emerged from the ground. Carrying these tools, the women travelled east, creating Janyinki and other sacred sites. Their travels extended far beyond the boundaries of Warlpiri country.

In this artwork, Judy Watson represents elements of the story through symbolic forms. The wavy lines depict the sacred ngalyipi vine, which grows around kurrkara (desert oak – Allocasuarina decaisneana) trees. The ‘U’ shapes represent the women, while the circular shapes symbolise edible mushrooms gathered during their journey. Two straight lines in the centre represent the digging sticks used along the way.

Ngalyipi holds deep significance for Napangardi and Napanangka women. It serves many purposes, including ceremonial wraps, straps for carrying parrajas (wooden bowls filled with bush tucker), and even as a tourniquet for headaches.

The Gold Heart Card – JWA609 presents this powerful story in greeting card form, finished with an elegant gold heart detail. It offers a meaningful way to share both art and culture while supporting Indigenous artists.