Originally from the Yuendumu community in the Central Desert, Michael depicts in this painting the Emu Dream (Yankirri Jukurrpa), associated with Ngarlikurlangu, a sacred site located north of Yuendumu.

The legend tells that an ancestral emu (Yankirri) traveled to Ngarlikurlangu to drink from a waterhole, where he encountered Wardilyka, an ancestral bustard (bird). The two fought over grapes (Yakajirri) that they both coveted.

The arrow-shaped forms represent, seen from above, the emu’s footprints around nests containing eggs. Other symbols depict shields, spears, throwing sticks, as well as humans (U-shaped forms) seated on the ground.