Ngayuku tjamuku Tjukurpa (My grandfather’s story)

I made this work as part of the wati (men’s) weeks at Mimili art centre. We went out bush to collect car parts learning new skills of engraving, sand-blasting, welding and other ways of making art. I’ve always watched my grandfather Billy Cooley carve punu (wooden sculptures). Tjamu (grandfather) is most famous for his wanampi (snakes) and kali (boomerangs), but he really can make anything from wood. We used to watch him and listen to his stories when we were sitting down around Amata and Mutitjulu. These days I am a father myself. I live in Mimili with my family, and am starting my own career in the arts. The patterns and shapes I engraved in my found canvas are the symbols of my grandfather: the scales of the wanampi (rainbow serpent) and kali (boomerangs).