Snake Dreaming | GA-1325

Life: 1925 - 2001

Birthplace: Lajamanu

Language: Warlpiri

Skin name: Japaljarri

Region: Tanami Desert



Billy Hogan was born in 1925 in Lajumanu, situated around 600 kilometres southwest of Katherine, on the northern edge of the Tanami Desert. It is semi-arid country with tracts of spinifex grass. Traditional food hunting includes goanna, lizards, bush coconut and bush banana. He was a senior lawman and custodian of Men’s Dreaming, Snake Dreaming and Vine Dreaming.

Billy painted his land and law, infusing his art with cultural connections and knowledge. He and fellow law man Abie Jangala traveled across their Traditional Lands, using similar iconography to each other depicting rain, water, and ancestors.