Malcolm Maloney Jagamarra (Australian, b. 1955), Lander River

Title: Lander River
Medium: Acrylic on canvas (unstretched)
Signed and titled: Verso
Dimensions: 39 x 70 1/2 in. (99.1 x 179.1 cm)
Condition: Excellent; colors remain vivid and the surface is stable. Minor edge handling as is typical for unstretched works.

This large-scale acrylic painting, titled Lander River, by renowned Warlpiri artist Malcolm Maloney Jagamarra, exemplifies Central Desert painting traditions. The composition features a flowing white serpentine form representing the Lander River, surrounded by stylized snakes, goannas, and concentric dot formations symbolic of ancestral travel lines and Dreamtime narratives. Jagamarra’s work reflects both a deep spiritual connection to his land and a mastery of contemporary Aboriginal visual language.

Rendered in a palette of ochre yellows, deep reds, and white, the canvas is marked by rhythmic energy and intricate dotting techniques. The use of repeated wavy lines and symbolic clusters reflects Warlpiri iconography and topographic memory, offering insight into Indigenous cartography and spiritual geography. 

Jagamarra is the son of highly influential artist Paddy Japaljarri Sims and has exhibited internationally, with works held in prominent institutions and private collections.