REDOT FINE ART GALLERY in collaboration with Ninuku Arts presents
Ninuku Tjuta A Collection of Fine Ninuku Indigenous Art
16 th September - 17 th October 2015
For a high resolution, downloadable, PDF version of the this catalogue, with pricing, please send us an email to info@redotgallery.com Thank you.
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Kalka, the Home of Ninuku Arts Source: Š Paul Patterson
Ninuku Tjuta The ReDot Fine Art Gallery is honoured to host Ninuku Tjuta, a follow up exhibition from the sell-out show by Ninuku Arts in 2012 and 2013. Deriving from a tiny community in the north-western corner of South Australia, Ninuku Arts is one of the most exciting art centres to emerge over the past 10 years. The exhibition boasts an extraordinary group of master works painted by the three most senior men in the community, together with a small body of works by other pretenders to their throne. As the traditional owners of the land, these men hold the most important stories of their country deep within their hearts and are tasked with its survival and passage into the next generation. This exhibition is a bold statement about ownership and history, but also a joyous collection of paintings acting as an invitation to the viewer – an invitation onto the land of these old tribal men. As well as teaching the international audience about their culture, the show aims to teach the emerging artists, laying down a challenge to take their culture forward in today’s modern world. It is critical to the continuation of this great indigenous culture that it is taught to the future generations. As senior man and Ngangkari (traditional healer) Harry Tjutjuna describes, “Old generation are here now and I am old generation too. Lots of old generation have passed away.What can we do? What happens when I pass away? New generation got to learn Tjukurpa (Dreaming Stories).” Harry Tjutjuna is the most senior of the artists exhibiting. His unique style and approach has made him one of the most sought-after practising artists in the country. He paints a range of stories with both authority and courage. He is known for the drippy, painterly qualities in his technique, and is a natural colourist often choosing a palette of vibrant, poppy hues. Senior artist Jimmy Donegan is another artist inspired by the colourful landscape, using a plethora of colours to depict his Tjukurpa (or Dreaming stories). Donegan continues to be celebrated as one of the most sought-after artists from the district to Australian and International collectors, galleries and institutions, since winning the prestigious Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Telstra Art Award in 2010. Sandy Brumby joins these two colossal heavyweights. Born in the bush at Victory Downs, an outstation near Pukatja (Ernabella), Sandy was a stockman for many years, long before Kalka and the Pipalyatjara communities existed. In 2010, in his sixties, Sandy Brumby picked up a paintbrush for the first time and since then has religiously painted, discovering a passion for
paint and a need to tell his story. The marks he uses are reminiscent of symbols seen in rock paintings around Uluru and Kata Tjuta. His paintings are raw and bold, demonstrating a strong connection to his country and culture. He has a deep love of colour and uses a broad palette when he paints, selecting the colours that sit side by side with natural intuition. The exhibition begins on Wednesday 16th September and runs until Saturday 17th October 2015. A must-see show for anyone interested in following the recent developments in Indigenous Art and an opportunity to meet a beautiful and talented proponent of one of the world’s oldest art forms.
Giorgio Pilla Director ReDot Fine Art Gallery
The Verandah at Ninuku Art Centre Source: Š Paul Patterson
Sandy Brumby Source: Š Photo Courtesy of Ninuku Arts
Sandy BRUMBY
Birth Date Language Place of Birth
circa 1930 Yankunytjatjara Victory Downs
Sandy Brumby was born in the bush at Victory Downs, an outstation near Pukatja (Ernabella). He grew up there with his mother, father, brother and sister. As a ‘young fella’, he worked at Mount Cavanagh, a cattle station near Kulgera in the Northern Territory. He was a stockman there, mustering bullocks, fencing, and tending to the cattle. Sandy met his wife, Tjukapati Nola Brumby, in Pukatja (Ernabella), and from there they moved to the Amata community for some time. Eventually they settled in Pipalyatjara, where they had two children - a boy and a girl. Sandy has been in the Pipalyatjara area for a long time, since before Kalka and Pipalyatjara communities were fully established. In 2010, in his sixties, Sandy Brumby picked up a paint brush for the first time, and he has come to the art centre religiously ever since, having discovered a passion for paint and a strong need to tell his story. The iconography in his work is reminiscent of symbols that are sometimes seen in rock or cave paintings around Uluru and Kata Tjuta. His paintings are raw and bold, demonstrating a strong connection to his country and his culture. He has a deep love of colour and uses a broad palette when he paints, selecting - with natural intuition - colours that sing beautifully together. Sandy Brumby’s approach to telling his story through art is highly individual. Although his paintings are simple in composition and raw in their application of paint, his brush strokes are very delicate, belying the astoundingly powerful spirit in his painting. In the relatively short period of time he has been painting, his works have been acquired by significant public collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and Queensland Art Gallery (QAGOMA).
Collections Artbank, Sydney, NSW, Australia. National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Queensland Art Gallery (QAGOMA), Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Sir James and Lady Cruthers Collection, Perth, WA, Australia. W. & V. McGeoch Collection, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. The Arthur Roe Collection, Melbourne,VIC, Australia.
Selected Solo Exhibitions 2014 Sandy Brumby - Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2013 Sandy Brumby – New Paintings - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. 2012 Sandy Brumby - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia.
Selected Group Exhibitions 2015 Ninuku Tjuta - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. 2013 Wati Pulka – Important Man - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. APY Lands Survey Exhibition - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. 2012 INMA: Our Ceremony - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Nganampa Ngura (Our Place) - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. Manta Irititjangku: Ngura Kutjupalakuta (Ancient Land: New Territory) - Gallery nine 5 & Harvey Art Projects, Manhattan, NY, United States of America. One Song, Different Tune - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Painting the Land: new works by senior Ninuku artists - Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Four Artists – Sandy Brumby, Jimmy Donegan, Harry Tjutjuna, Nyanu Watson - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. 2011 Kulina Inma – Listen to Song - Tunbridge Gallery, Margaret River, WA, Australia. Five Strong Men - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa – Yangi Yangi Fox and Ninuku Arts - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. The Shared Language of Paint – Exhibition of Works from Ildiko Kovacs Residency - Raft
Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Ngura Kalatjara – Land and Colour - A.P. Bond Art Gallery, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Ngura Wirukanyanku – This is a Beautiful Place - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Recent Works by Ninuku Arts - Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Green - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Ngura Inkanyi – Singing Country - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. Western APY Lands - Art Kelch, Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (Touring Exhibition). 2010 The Watiku Show - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia.
Sandy BRUMBY
Victory Downs Acrylic on Linen 152 x 122cm 15-174
This is a story about my father’s country,Victory Downs, near Amata community. Lots of women were at this site collecting kampurapa (bush tomatoes). A man came along and asked the women for the mai (food) but the women didn’t give him any, so the man had no mai. After the man left, the women fed all the mai to the tjitji (children) until they were full. The man came back again and the group travelled together to Pangkupiri, which is near Tjukurla and close to the country where Sandy Brumby’s mother was born.
Sandy BRUMBY
Kulitja Acrylic on Linen 122 x 107cm NKSB12421
This story is about a place called Kulitja, in Yankunytjatjara country close to Victory Downs in the Northern Territory. There are many rockholes at this site and it is the home of a Wati Wanampi (male water serpent). He is looking around for kuka (meat) and mai (bushtucker) such as kampurarpa (bush tomato) and wayanu (quandong). One day, another water serpent comes to this place. The Wati Wanampi fights him and he runs away. After that, the Wati Wanampi eats the food, curls up and goes to sleep, forming a large rockhole that is still there today. This is the home of the Wati Wanampi (male water serpent).
Sandy BRUMBY
Victory Downs Acrylic on Belgian Linen 122 x 107cm 15-165
This is a story about my father’s country,Victory Downs, near Amata community. Lots of women were at this site collecting kampurapa (bush tomatoes). A man came along and asked the women for the mai (food) but the women didn’t give him any, so the man had no mai. After the man left, the women fed all the mai to the tjitji (children) until they were full. The man came back again and the group travelled together to Pangkupiri, which is near Tjukurla and close to the country where Sandy Brumby’s mother was born.
Sandy BRUMBY
Victory Downs Acrylic on Belgian Linen 122 x 107cm 15-169
This is a story about my father’s country,Victory Downs, near Amata community. Lots of women were at this site collecting kampurapa (bush tomatoes). A man came along and asked the women for the mai (food) but the women didn’t give him any, so the man had no mai. After the man left, the women fed all the mai to the tjitji (children) until they were full. The man came back again and the group travelled together to Pangkupiri, which is near Tjukurla and close to the country where Sandy Brumby’s mother was born.
Sandy BRUMBY
50 Downs Acrylic on Linen 121 x 102cm 10388
This painting is of a story about my father’s country, 50 Downs, near Amata community. Lots of women were at this site collecting kampurapa (bush tomatoes). A man came along and asked the women for the mai (food) but the women didn’t give any to him, so the man had no mai. After the man left, the women fed all the mai to the tjitji (children) until they were full. The man came back again and the group travelled together to Pangkupiri which is near Tjukula and close to the country where Sandy Brumby’s mother was born.
Sandy BRUMBY
Victory Downs Acrylic on Linen 91 x 91cm NKSB12183
This is a story about my father’s country,Victory Downs, near Amata community. Lots of women were at this site collecting kampurapa (bush tomatoes). A man came along and asked the women for the mai (food) but the women didn’t give him any, so the man had no mai. After the man left, the women fed all the mai to the tjitji (children) until they were full. The man came back again and the group travelled together to Pangkupiri, which is near Tjukurla and close to the country where Sandy Brumby’s mother was born.
Sandy BRUMBY
Victory Downs Acrylic on Linen 91 x 46cm NKSB13037
This is a story about my father’s country,Victory Downs, near Amata community. Lots of women were at this site collecting kampurapa (bush tomatoes). A man came along and asked the women for the mai (food) but the women didn’t give him any, so the man had no mai. After the man left, the women fed all the mai to the tjitji (children) until they were full. The man came back again and the group travelled together to Pangkupiri, which is near Tjukurla and close to the country where Sandy Brumby’s mother was born.
Sandy BRUMBY
Victory Downs Acrylic on Linen 76.5 x 76.5cm 13356
This is a story about my father’s country,Victory Downs, near Amata community. Lots of women were at this site collecting kampurapa (bush tomatoes). A man came along and asked the women for the mai (food) but the women didn’t give him any, so the man had no mai. After the man left, the women fed all the mai to the tjitji (children) until they were full. The man came back again and the group travelled together to Pangkupiri, which is near Tjukurla and close to the country where Sandy Brumby’s mother was born.
Sandy BRUMBY
Victory Downs Acrylic on Linen 61 x 61cm 13321
This is a story about my father’s country,Victory Downs, near Amata community. Lots of women were at this site collecting kampurapa (bush tomatoes). A man came along and asked the women for the mai (food) but the women didn’t give him any, so the man had no mai. After the man left, the women fed all the mai to the tjitji (children) until they were full. The man came back again and the group travelled together to Pangkupiri, which is near Tjukurla and close to the country where Sandy Brumby’s mother was born.
Sandy BRUMBY
Victory Downs Acrylic on Linen 61 x 61cm 13354
This is a story about my father’s country,Victory Downs, near Amata community. Lots of women were at this site collecting kampurapa (bush tomatoes). A man came along and asked the women for the mai (food) but the women didn’t give him any, so the man had no mai. After the man left, the women fed all the mai to the tjitji (children) until they were full. The man came back again and the group travelled together to Pangkupiri, which is near Tjukurla and close to the country where Sandy Brumby’s mother was born.
Sandy BRUMBY
Victory Downs Acrylic on Linen 61 x 61cm 13342
This is a story about my father’s country,Victory Downs, near Amata community. Lots of women were at this site collecting kampurapa (bush tomatoes). A man came along and asked the women for the mai (food) but the women didn’t give him any, so the man had no mai. After the man left, the women fed all the mai to the tjitji (children) until they were full. The man came back again and the group travelled together to Pangkupiri, which is near Tjukurla and close to the country where Sandy Brumby’s mother was born.
Sandy BRUMBY
Victory Downs Acrylic on Linen 61 x 61cm 13318
This is a story about my father’s country,Victory Downs, near Amata community. Lots of women were at this site collecting kampurapa (bush tomatoes). A man came along and asked the women for the mai (food) but the women didn’t give him any, so the man had no mai. After the man left, the women fed all the mai to the tjitji (children) until they were full. The man came back again and the group travelled together to Pangkupiri, which is near Tjukurla and close to the country where Sandy Brumby’s mother was born.
Sandy BRUMBY
Victory Downs Acrylic on Canvas 61 x 61cm 14-43
This is a story about my father’s country,Victory Downs, near Amata community. Lots of women were at this site collecting kampurapa (bush tomatoes). A man came along and asked the women for the mai (food) but the women didn’t give him any, so the man had no mai. After the man left, the women fed all the mai to the tjitji (children) until they were full. The man came back again and the group travelled together to Pangkupiri, which is near Tjukurla and close to the country where Sandy Brumby’s mother was born.
Sandy BRUMBY
Victory Downs Acrylic on Linen 56 x 61cm 13267
This is a story about my father’s country,Victory Downs, near Amata community. Lots of women were at this site collecting kampurapa (bush tomatoes). A man came along and asked the women for the mai (food) but the women didn’t give him any, so the man had no mai. After the man left, the women fed all the mai to the tjitji (children) until they were full. The man came back again and the group travelled together to Pangkupiri, which is near Tjukurla and close to the country where Sandy Brumby’s mother was born.
Sandy BRUMBY
Victory Downs Acrylic on Linen 55 x 61cm 11373
This is a story about my father’s country,Victory Downs, near Amata community. Lots of women were at this site collecting kampurapa (bush tomatoes). A man came along and asked the women for the mai (food) but the women didn’t give him any, so the man had no mai. After the man left, the women fed all the mai to the tjitji (children) until they were full. The man came back again and the group travelled together to Pangkupiri, which is near Tjukurla and close to the country where Sandy Brumby’s mother was born.
Jimmy Donegan Source: Š Photo Courtesy of Ninuku Arts
Jimmy DONEGAN
Birth Date Language Place of Birth
circa 1939 Pitjantjatjara Yanpan
Jimmy was born at Yanpan, a rockhole near Ngatuntjarra Bore circa 1939. He grew up in the country surrounding Papulankutja (Blackstone) and Mantamaru (Jamieson) in Western Australia. Jimmy has strong family links throughout the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands and his wife was originally from a place near Kalka. Some time ago Jimmy took his wife and children to live at Papulankutja (Blackstone) because of his deep connection to that country. He is now widowed and has returned to Kalka community to live with his children, and to be closer to his sister, Molly Nampitjin Miller, who is a founding director of Ninuku Arts. Jimmy is a skilled wood craftsman - his spears, spear throwers and boomerangs are prized and much sought after. He is also a strong cultural man, involved in traditional law and ceremony. In August 2010, Jimmy Donegan won the most prestigious art prize in Australia - the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award (known as the Telstra Award). He was the winner of two sections - the General Painting category and the overall prize. “Like much of Donegan’s work over the past decade, the award winning painting is solemn and emphatic in its design, but dazzlingly illuminated. The artist’s technique is to compose the colour lines of his canvases from thousands of large dots in different hues, which blend into a whole.” Nicolas Rothwell, The Weekend Australian, August 2010.
Collections Artbank, Sydney, NSW, Australia. The Laverty Collection, Sydney, NSW, Australia. The Merenda Collection, Fremantle, WA, Australia. National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Alison and Peter W. Klein, Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Lagerberg-Swift Collection, Perth, WA, Australia. The Corrigan Collection, Sydney, NSW, Australia. The Marshall Collection, Adelaide, SA, Australia. The University of Western Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Thomas Vroom Collection, Amsterdam, Netherlands. W. & V. McGeoch Collection, Melbourne,VIC, Australia.
Awards 2011 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award – Overall Prize - Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin, NT, Australia. 2010 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award – General Painting Prize Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin, NT, Australia.
Selected Group Exhibitions 2011 Ninuku Tjuta - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. 2013 Wati Pulka – Important Man - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. 2012 Nganampa Ngura (Our Place) - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. INMA: Our Ceremony - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Four Artists – Sandy Brumby, Jimmy Donegan, Harry Tjutjuna, Nyanu Watson - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Manta Irititjangku: Ngura Kutjupalakuta (Ancient Land: New Territory) - Gallery nine 5 & Harvey Art Projects, Manhattan, NY, United States of America. 2011 Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa – Yangi Yangi Fox and Ninuku Arts - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. The Shared Language of Paint – Exhibition of Works from Ildiko Kovacs Residency - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Ngura Kalatjara – Land and Colour - A.P. Bond Art Gallery, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Ngura Wirukanyanku – This is a Beautiful Place - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Western APY Lands - Art Kelch, Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (Touring Exhibition). Five Strong Men - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Kulina Inma – Listen to Song - Tunbridge Gallery, Margaret River, WA, Australia. Recent Works by Ninuku Arts - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006 2005
Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award, MAGNT, Darwin Warka Kuwari Walkatjunanyi: New paintings by the Artists of Ninuku - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Kulunypa Tjuta Paintamilani: Lots of Small Paintings - Short Street Gallery, Cairns, QLD, Australia (As part of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair). The Watiku Show - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Kulila Nganampa Tjukurpa – Listen to our Stories - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Tjungu: All Together - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ngintaka Tjukurpa: Perentie Lizard Dreaming - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Ngura Tjuta: Big Country - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Tjukurpa Kutjupa Kutjupa: Other Stories from Ninuku Arts and Tjanpi Desert Weavers Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Big Country - Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Desert Master Class - South Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Papulankutja Artists Group Exhibition - Randell Lane Fine Art, Perth, WA, Australia. Western Desert Mob Launch, Perth, WA, Australia. Senior Men Group Show – Men Happily Painting Together - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Shared exhibition with Mornington Island - Marshall Art, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Tjilpi Show - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Brother Sister Show - Randell Lane Fine Art, Perth, WA, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Big Red Country Exhibition - Goldfields Art Centre, Kalgoorlie, WA, Australia. Senior Artists of Blackstone and Patjarr - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Lirru Puru Kuniya Tjukurrpa - Randell Lane Fine Art at Tristan Gallery, Perth, WA, Australia.
Jimmy DONEGAN
Wati Kutjara Wanampi Acrylic on Linen 153 x 122cm 15-73
Jimmy paints the Tjukurpa (Dreaming story) from an important waterhole site known as Pukara, south-west of Irrunytju (Wingellina) in Western Australia. It is a story of Wati Kutjara Wanampi (two male water serpents) - a father and son - who are living at Pukara. According to the story, Anangu tjuta (lots of people) went to that waterhole for the kapi (water), which is said to taste sweet due to the Kaliny-kalinypa found at the site. This upsets the father Wati Wanampi and he told them to go back to their own country. Once the people left, the father and son travelled to Willuna, where they camped for weeks. They then return to Pukara. One day when they were sleeping, they were awoken by a loud buzzing sound. The Minyma Punpunpa (the female flies) had been attracted to the honey grevillea plants found near the waterhole and were making lots of noise as they buzz around the honey bush. It prompted the father and son to get up and collect honey from the plants. While they were collecting, the Wati Mututa (male black ants) appeared and speared the son in his side. The young son started spitting and spits out the yellow and orange seeds of all the different varieties of honey grevillea plants that are still found at the site today. They include Kaliny-kalinypa, Ultukunpa, Piruwa and Witjinti.
Jimmy DONEGAN
Papa Tjukurpa (Dingo Dreaming) Acrylic on Linen 147 x 120cm 14-229
“Ngayuku mamaku ngura Dulu”, there is a rockhole in my father’s country called Dulu. There are many male and female dingoes living there, digging up the water and hunting at Pilantjara rockhole in the country area of Dulu. This is papa walka, or dog design.
Jimmy DONEGAN
Papa Tjukurpa (Dingo Dreaming) Acrylic on Linen 122 x 122cm 14-214
“Ngayuku mamaku ngura Dulu”, there is a rockhole in my father’s country called Dulu. There are many male and female dingoes living there, digging up the water and hunting at Pilantjara rockhole in the country area of Dulu. This is papa walka, or dog design.
Jimmy DONEGAN
Pukara Acrylic on Belgian Linen 122 x 122cm 15-207
This is a story about Kaliny-kalinypa (honey grevillea plant), which Anangu (the term for people in Pitjantjatjara) use as a type of bush lolly, sucking the nectar out of the plant. In the Tjukurpa (Dreaming story), a father and son, Wati Kutjara Wanampi (two male water snakes), are living at Pukara, an important waterhole site near Irrunytju (Wingellina) in Western Australia. According to the story, Anangu tjuta (lots of people) went to that waterhole for the kapi (water), which is said to taste sweet due to the Kaliny-kalinypa found at the site. This upsets the father Wati Wanampi didn’t like this and he told them to go back to their own country. Once the people left, the father and son travel to Willuna, where they camped for weeks. They then returned to Pukara. One day when they were sleeping, they were awoken by a loud buzzing sound. The Minyma Punpunpa (the female flies) had been attracted to the honey grevillea plants found near the waterhole and were making lots of noise as they buzz around the honey bush. It prompted the father and son to get up and collect honey from the plants. While they were collecting, the Wati Mututa (male black ants) appeared and speared the son in his side. The young son started spitting and spits out the yellow and orange seeds of all the different varieties of honey grevillea plants that are still found at the site today. They include Kaliny-kalinypa, Ultunkunpa, Piruwa and Witjinti.
Jimmy DONEGAN
Pukara Acrylic on Linen 122 x 121cm NKJD10393
This is a story about Kaliny-kalinypa (honey grevillea plant), which Anangu (the term for people in Pitjantjatjara) use as a type of bush lolly, sucking the nectar out of the plant. In the Tjukurpa (Dreaming story), a father and son, Wati Kutjara Wanampi (two male water snakes), are living at Pukara, an important waterhole site near Irrunytju (Wingellina) in Western Australia. According to the story, Anangu tjuta (lots of people) went to that waterhole for the kapi (water), which is said to taste sweet due to the Kaliny-kalinypa found at the site. This upsets the father Wati Wanampi didn’t like this and he told them to go back to their own country. Once the people left, the father and son travel to Willuna, where they camped for weeks. They then returned to Pukara. One day when they were sleeping, they were awoken by a loud buzzing sound. The Minyma Punpunpa (the female flies) had been attracted to the honey grevillea plants found near the waterhole and were making lots of noise as they buzz around the honey bush. It prompted the father and son to get up and collect honey from the plants. While they were collecting, the Wati Mututa (male black ants) appeared and speared the son in his side. The young son started spitting and spits out the yellow and orange seeds of all the different varieties of honey grevillea plants that are still found at the site today. They include Kaliny-kalinypa, Ultunkunpa, Piruwa and Witjinti.
Jimmy DONEGAN
Pukara Acrylic on Canvas 101.6 x 101.6cm 06-1194
Two water snakes (really men) were trying to pass through the Piuyl Mountains, near Warburton. They threw a magic boomerang that broke the mountain in two. They then travelled down the back way to Pukara (a large water soak). When they got there, the son was sick and said - only animals can drink at this water hole - but later the father allowed people to drink there too. They are still there today.
Jimmy DONEGAN
Papa Tjukurpa (Dingo Dreaming) Acrylic on Linen 107 x 91cm 11178
”Ngayuku mamaku ngura Dulu”, there is a rockhole in my father’s country called Dulu. There are many male and female dingoes living there, digging up the water and hunting at Pilantjara rockhole in the country area of Dulu. This is papa walka, or dog design.
Jimmy DONEGAN
Papa Tjukurpa (Dingo Dreaming) Acrylic on Linen 122 x 61cm 14-240
“Ngayuku mamaku ngura Dulu”, there is a rockhole in my father’s country called Dulu. There are many male and female dingoes living there, digging up the water and hunting at Pilantjara rockhole in the country area of Dulu. This is papa walka, or dog design.
Jimmy DONEGAN
Pukara Acrylic on Linen 91 x 91cm 15-98
This is a story about Kaliny-kalinypa (honey grevillea plant), which Anangu (the term for people in Pitjantjatjara) use as a type of bush lolly, sucking the nectar out of the plant. In the Tjukurpa (Dreaming story), a father and son, Wati Kutjara Wanampi (two male water snakes), are living at Pukara, an important waterhole site near Irrunytju (Wingellina) in Western Australia. According to the story, Anangu tjuta (lots of people) went to that waterhole for the kapi (water), which is said to taste sweet due to the Kaliny-kalinypa found at the site. This upsets the father Wati Wanampi didn’t like this and he told them to go back to their own country. Once the people left, the father and son travel to Willuna, where they camped for weeks. They then returned to Pukara. One day when they were sleeping, they were awoken by a loud buzzing sound. The Minyma Punpunpa (the female flies) had been attracted to the honey grevillea plants found near the waterhole and were making lots of noise as they buzz around the honey bush. It prompted the father and son to get up and collect honey from the plants. While they were collecting, the Wati Mututa (male black ants) appeared and speared the son in his side. The young son started spitting and spits out the yellow and orange seeds of all the different varieties of honey grevillea plants that are still found at the site today. They include Kaliny-kalinypa, Ultunkunpa, Piruwa and Witjinti.
Jimmy DONEGAN
Pukara Acrylic on Belgian Linen 91 x 91cm 15-201
This is a story about Kaliny-kalinypa (honey grevillea plant), which Anangu (the term for people in Pitjantjatjara) use as a type of bush lolly, sucking the nectar out of the plant. In the Tjukurpa (Dreaming story), a father and son, Wati Kutjara Wanampi (two male water snakes), are living at Pukara, an important waterhole site near Irrunytju (Wingellina) in Western Australia. According to the story, Anangu tjuta (lots of people) went to that waterhole for the kapi (water), which is said to taste sweet due to the Kaliny-kalinypa found at the site. This upsets the father Wati Wanampi didn’t like this and he told them to go back to their own country. Once the people left, the father and son travel to Willuna, where they camped for weeks. They then returned to Pukara. One day when they were sleeping, they were awoken by a loud buzzing sound. The Minyma Punpunpa (the female flies) had been attracted to the honey grevillea plants found near the waterhole and were making lots of noise as they buzz around the honey bush. It prompted the father and son to get up and collect honey from the plants. While they were collecting, the Wati Mututa (male black ants) appeared and speared the son in his side. The young son started spitting and spits out the yellow and orange seeds of all the different varieties of honey grevillea plants that are still found at the site today. They include Kaliny-kalinypa, Ultunkunpa, Piruwa and Witjinti.
Jimmy DONEGAN
Pukara Acrylic on Linen 61 x 56cm 14-59
This is a story about Kaliny-kalinypa (honey grevillea plant), which Anangu (the term for people in Pitjantjatjara) use as a type of bush lolly, sucking the nectar out of the plant. In the Tjukurpa (Dreaming story), a father and son, Wati Kutjara Wanampi (two male water snakes), are living at Pukara, an important waterhole site near Irrunytju (Wingellina) in Western Australia. According to the story, Anangu tjuta (lots of people) went to that waterhole for the kapi (water), which is said to taste sweet due to the Kaliny-kalinypa found at the site. This upsets the father Wati Wanampi didn’t like this and he told them to go back to their own country. Once the people left, the father and son travel to Willuna, where they camped for weeks. They then returned to Pukara. One day when they were sleeping, they were awoken by a loud buzzing sound. The Minyma Punpunpa (the female flies) had been attracted to the honey grevillea plants found near the waterhole and were making lots of noise as they buzz around the honey bush. It prompted the father and son to get up and collect honey from the plants. While they were collecting, the Wati Mututa (male black ants) appeared and speared the son in his side. The young son started spitting and spits out the yellow and orange seeds of all the different varieties of honey grevillea plants that are still found at the site today. They include Kaliny-kalinypa, Ultunkunpa, Piruwa and Witjinti.
Harry Tjutjuna Source: Š Photo Courtesy of Ninuku Arts
Harry TJUTJUNA
Birth Date Language Place of Birth
circa 1930 Pitjantjatjara Walytjatjara
Harry Tjutjuna was born in the bush circa 1930 at a place known as Walytjatjara. This place is north-east of Pipalyatjara community, where he resides today. Harry is one of the most senior Law men of the area; few of his generation are still alive. He is also a revered artist and Ngangkari (traditional healer). A native Pitjantjatjara speaker, Harry has strong family ties to the APY (Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara) Lands in South Australia, and into the west towards Warburton Ranges. As a young man, Harry moved around a lot. He lived at a place called Pukatja (Ernabella), where a mission existed for many years. It began in 1937 and was primarily established to provide medical assistance and western education to local Anangu (the term for Aboriginal people from the area). Harry went to school in Pukatja but he later moved on to work at a settlement, where he sank bores, did fencing and gardening and tended to the animals. He also worked as a stockman, mustering cattle for many years. Eventually Harry moved back to the far north-west with a large family, living in and around Irrunytju (Wingellina) in Western Australia, and Pipalyatjara in South Australia. Harry became a full-time artist in 2005 at Ernabella Arts before moving permanently to Pipalyatjara in 2008, where he has continued painting at Ninuku Arts Centre. Harry’s knowledge of Tjukurpa (Dreaming stories) associated with the land surrounding Pipalyatjara is extensive and, due to his seniority, is unmatched by most others. He paints a range of stories including Wati Wanka (Spider Man); Wati Nyiru, the man who chases seven sisters around and eventually marries one; and Kungka Tjuta, young girls telling stories traditional way by drawing designs in the sand (milpatjunanyi). “Old generation are here now and I am old generation too. Lots of old generation have passed away. What are we going to do? What happens when I pass away? New generation got to learn Tjukurpa.�
Harry Tjutjuna’s whimsical themes, combined with his masterful use of the brush, have quickly positioned him as one of the most highly sought-after artists at Ninuku Arts and throughout Australia. He has a unique approach to painting, exhibiting a quirky representation and bold confidence.
Collections Museum of contemporary Aboriginal art (AAMU), Utrecht, Netherlands. Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia. Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Charles Darwin University (CDU), Darwin, NT, Australia. The Marshall Collection, Adelaide, SA, Australia. The Merenda Collection, Fremantle, WA, Australia. National Gallery of Australia (NGA), Canberra, ACT, Australia. National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Lagerberg-Swift Collection, Perth, WA, Australia. The Lepley Collection, Perth, WA, Australia. W. & V. McGeoch Collection, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Alison and Peter W. Klein, Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Awards 2011 Finalist – Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award - Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin, NT, Australia. 2010 Finalist – Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award - Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin, NT, Australia. Finalist – Western Australian Premier’s Indigenous Art Awards - Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia. 2009 Finalist – Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award - Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin, NT, Australia. TogArt Contemporary Art Award, Darwin, NT, Australia. 2007 Finalist – Whyalla Art Prize - Whyalla Arts Council, Whyalla, SA, Australia.
Selected Solo Exhibitions 2014 Harry Tjutjuna Solo Exhibition - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2013 Harry Tjutjuna – New Paintings - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. 2007 Harry Tjutjuna – Recent Works - Raft Artspace, Darwin, NT, Australia.
Selected Group Exhibitions 2011 Ninuku Tjuta - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. 2014 Ninuku Group Exhibition – Harvey Art Projects, Ketchum, Idaho, United States of America. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2013 Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Wati Pulka – Important Man - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. 2012 Manta Irititjangku: Ngura Kutjupalakuta (Ancient Land: New Territory) - Gallery nine 5 & Harvey Art Projects, Manhattan, NY, United States of America. One Song, Different Tune - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. INMA: Our Ceremony - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Nganampa Ngura (Our Place) - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. Four Artists – Sandy Brumby, Jimmy Donegan, Harry Tjutjuna, Nyanu Watson - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Painting the Land: new works by senior Ninuku artists - Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. APY Lands Group Show - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Melbourne,VIC, Australia (As part of Melbourne Art Fair). Ngintaka - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2011 Western APY Lands - Art Kelch, Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (Touring Exhibition). Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa – Yangi Yangi Fox and Ninuku Arts - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. The Shared Language of Paint – Exhibition of Works from Ildiko Kovacs Residency - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Ngura Kalatjara – Land and Colour - A.P. Bond Art Gallery, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Ngura Wirukanyanku – This is a Beautiful Place - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Ngura Inkanyi – Singing Country - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. Five Strong Men - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Shalom Gamarada Charity Fundraiser - Shalom College, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Kulina Inma – Listen to Song - Tunbridge Gallery, Margaret River, WA, Australia. The Chairman’s Art Auction - Aboriginal Employment Strategy (AES), Sydney, NSW, Australia. Recent Works by Ninuku Arts - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2010 Kulunypa Tjuta Paintamilani: Lots of Small Paintings - Short Street Gallery, Cairns, QLD, Australia (As part of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair). Black-and-White Series - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Melbourne,VIC, Australia (As part of Melbourne Art Fair). Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. The Watiku Show - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Women and Colour - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Warka Kuwari Walkatjunanyi: New paintings by the Artists of Ninuku - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. APY and Western Desert Exhibition - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2009 Ngura Tjuta: Big Country - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Tjungu: All Together - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ngintaka Tjukurpa: Perentie Lizard Dreaming - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Kulila Nganampa Tjukurpa – Listen to our Stories - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Pirinyi – Ninuku Artists Print Exhibition - Nomad Art Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. 2008 Tjukurpa Kutjupa Kutjupa: Other Stories from Ninuku Arts and Tjanpi Desert Weavers Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Our Mob: Art by South Australian Aboriginal Artists - Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia. A Way of Seeing - Gallery Gondwana, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Mark Making in Print, South Australian Impressions - Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Pirinyi – Prints from Ninuku Arts Artists - Australian Print Workshop Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2007 Best of the Best - Framed Art Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Nganampa Ngura - Australia and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. APY Grandeur - Art mob, Hobart, TAS, Australia. Visions of Country - Seymour College, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Museum of Modern Art, Comune di Spoleto, Spoleto, Italy Ernabella – A Collection of New Works - Australia Dreaming Art Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Desert Master Class - South Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Anangu Backyard - The Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Ernabella – Recent Paintings and Ceramics - Birrung Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2006 Senior Pitjantjatjara Artists - Raft Artspace, Darwin, NT, Australia. Itjanu - Australia Dreaming Art Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Artist in Residence - Sails in the Desert,Yulara, NT, Australia. The Second Sharom Gamarada Aboriginal Art Exhibition - University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Big Country - Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Anangu Backyard - The Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia. 2005 Anangu Backyard - The Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Harry TJUTJUNA
Mututa Tjukurpa Acrylic on Linen 153 x 122cm NKHT12416
This is a Dreaming story about a site near Kalka known as Mututa. A Minyma Ninu (bilby woman) was there with her family and they were all eating maku (witchetty grubs). They found the maku in the roots of different plants, from tjilka-tjilka (shrubs), punti (cassia bushes), ngarkalya (sandhill wattle) and kanturangu (desert poplar). They ate so many that there were only ngingirpa (little, immature ones) left. The Wati Mututa (ant men) got really angry because there was no good food left. They all marched together, chasing the bilby family. The army of ants punished them by spearing them. At this site today, there are clusters of black rocks set into the side of the hill – they represent the Wati Mututa or the ant men.
Harry TJUTJUNA
Wati Nyiru Acrylic on Linen 122 x 122cm NKHT13053
This is a story about a wati (man) named Nyiru. This is Harry’s unique interpretation of an important Tjukurpa (Dreaming story) often painted by women, known as Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters Dreaming), although Harry paints this story from the perspective of the male character - Wati Nyiru. Wati Nyiru is sitting up high on a hill at Wyalla, near Port Augusta. He watches the seven sisters go into one end of a cave, and then blocks the other end so they can’t come out. But Wati Nyiru falls asleep, only to wake up and find that they have escaped. He travels around the countryside - from Broken Hill to Nyipurana – looking for them. He is able to track the kungka mob (group of girls), as he can see the smoke from their fire. In the story, Wati Nyiru eventually catches the youngest sister and marries her. Harry identifies strongly with this ancestral figure.
Harry TJUTJUNA
Kungka Tjuta Acrylic on Linen 122 x 122cm 14-114
These are lots of young girls doing milpatjunanyi, the traditional way of telling stories in the sand. These circles are their bottoms in the sand. They are all sitting around talking about men. They are talking with their hands, talking about men, maybe they like a man, maybe they want to get married. This story is from near Walytatjara, north of Kalka. There is a big red hill there. It is called Kungka Malu.
Harry TJUTJUNA
Wanka: Spider Acrylic on Linen 134 x 105cm 14-123
Harry’s depiction of a spider is common in his paintings. It represents the ancestral being with whom he most strongly identifies. His connection to the spider relates to his powers as a Ngangkari (traditional healer). “This is a big spider man. Wati paluru Ngangkari (a male traditional healer). He is a powerful and clever man. When rain comes, he hides in his nest. At night time, he changes colour. His name is Wati Wanka (Spider Man). Minyma wanka tjuta (referring to a group of female spiders) are the women and all the children for this man. That’s the story. I am the spider man.” - Harry Tjujuna
Harry TJUTJUNA
Wati Nyiru Acrylic on Linen 122 x 91cm NKHT12414
This is a story about a wati (man) named Nyiru. This is Harry’s unique interpretation of an important Tjukurpa (Dreaming story) often painted by women, known as Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters Dreaming), although Harry paints this story from the perspective of the male character - Wati Nyiru. Wati Nyiru is sitting up high on a hill at Wyalla, near Port Augusta. He watches the seven sisters go into one end of a cave, and then blocks the other end so they can’t come out. But Wati Nyiru falls asleep, only to wake up and find that they have escaped. He travels around the countryside - from Broken Hill to Nyipurana – looking for them. He is able to track the kungka mob (group of girls), as he can see the smoke from their fire. In the story, Wati Nyiru eventually catches the youngest sister and marries her. Harry identifies strongly with this ancestral figure.
Harry TJUTJUNA
Kungka Tjuta Acrylic on Linen 122 x 91cm 13121
These are lots of young girls doing milpatjunanyi, the traditional way of telling stories in the sand. These circles are their bottoms in the sand. They are all sitting around talking about men. They are talking with their hands, talking about men, maybe they like a man, maybe they want to get married. This story is from near Walytatjara, north of Kalka. There is a big red hill there. It is called Kungka Malu.
Harry TJUTJUNA
Wanka: Spider Acrylic on Belgian Linen 123 x 91cm 15-197
Harry’s depiction of a spider is common in his paintings. It represents the ancestral being with whom he most strongly identifies. His connection to the spider relates to his powers as a Ngangkari (traditional healer). “This is a big spider man. Wati paluru Ngangkari (a male traditional healer). He is a powerful and clever man. When rain comes, he hides in his nest. At night time, he changes colour. His name is Wati Wanka (Spider Man). Minyma wanka tjuta (referring to a group of female spiders) are the women and all the children for this man. That’s the story. I am the spider man.” - Harry Tjujuna
Harry TJUTJUNA
Kungka Tjuta Acrylic on Linen 127 x 78cm 14-107
These are lots of young girls doing milpatjunanyi, the traditional way of telling stories in the sand. These circles are their bottoms in the sand. They are all sitting around talking about men. They are talking with their hands, talking about men, maybe they like a man, maybe they want to get married. This story is from near Walytatjara, north of Kalka. There is a big red hill there. It is called Kungka Malu.
Harry TJUTJUNA
Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa Acrylic on Linen 133 x 71cm NKHT13039
This is a story about Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa (perentie lizard man creation story). That Wati Ngintaka (lizard man) heard the clapping sound of a beautiful grinding stone - a traditional tool used for grinding mai (food). He wanted that stone for himself, so he travelled from Arang’nga a long way east towards Wayatina, looking for the stone. He spotted Anangu tjuta (lots of Aboriginal people) at a camp. Some of the people gave him mai (food) in the form of a seed cake, but it was dry and he didn’t like it. Then one lady gave him delicious food and he knew that it had been made with seeds ground on the special grinding stone. He spied the grinding stone and stole it, hiding it in under his tail. When they all went hunting the next day, Wati Ngintaka stayed in camp, saying he had sore feet. Once they were gone, it was safe and he left, stealing the grinding stone. All the people were angry with the Wati Ngintaka and chased him. When they caught him they felt all over his body to see where he was hiding the grinding stone, but couldn’t find it. Wati Ngintaka held up his arms and claimed he didn’t have it, but eventually they saw he was hiding it, wipungka (in his tail). They speared the Wati Ngintaka and retrieved the grinding stone. He passed away at a place called Aran’nga in the Northern Territory. Ngaltutjara (poor thing).
Harry TJUTJUNA
Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa Acrylic on Linen 127 x 78cm 14-165
This is a story about Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa (perentie lizard man creation story). That Wati Ngintaka (lizard man) heard the clapping sound of a beautiful grinding stone - a traditional tool used for grinding mai (food). He wanted that stone for himself, so he travelled from Arang’nga a long way east towards Wayatina, looking for the stone. He spotted Anangu tjuta (lots of Aboriginal people) at a camp. Some of the people gave him mai (food) in the form of a seed cake, but it was dry and he didn’t like it. Then one lady gave him delicious food and he knew that it had been made with seeds ground on the special grinding stone. He spied the grinding stone and stole it, hiding it in under his tail. When they all went hunting the next day, Wati Ngintaka stayed in camp, saying he had sore feet. Once they were gone, it was safe and he left, stealing the grinding stone. All the people were angry with the Wati Ngintaka and chased him. When they caught him they felt all over his body to see where he was hiding the grinding stone, but couldn’t find it. Wati Ngintaka held up his arms and claimed he didn’t have it, but eventually they saw he was hiding it, wipungka (in his tail). They speared the Wati Ngintaka and retrieved the grinding stone. He passed away at a place called Aran’nga in the Northern Territory. Ngaltutjara (poor thing).
Harry TJUTJUNA
Wanka: Spider Acrylic on Belgian Linen 107 x 91cm 15-198
Harry’s depiction of a spider is common in his paintings. It represents the ancestral being with whom he most strongly identifies. His connection to the spider relates to his powers as a Ngangkari (traditional healer). “This is a big spider man. Wati paluru Ngangkari (a male traditional healer). He is a powerful and clever man. When rain comes, he hides in his nest. At night time, he changes colour. His name is Wati Wanka (Spider Man). Minyma wanka tjuta (referring to a group of female spiders) are the women and all the children for this man. That’s the story. I am the spider man.” - Harry Tjujuna
Harry TJUTJUNA
Kungka Tjuta Acrylic on Linen 91 x 91cm 13210
These are lots of young girls doing milpatjunanyi, the traditional way of telling stories in the sand. These circles are their bottoms in the sand. They are all sitting around talking about men. They are talking with their hands, talking about men, maybe they like a man, maybe they want to get married. This story is from near Walytatjara, north of Kalka. There is a big red hill there. It is called Kungka Malu.
Harry TJUTJUNA
Kungka Tjuta Acrylic on Linen 91 x 61cm 13222
These are lots of young girls doing milpatjunanyi, the traditional way of telling stories in the sand. These circles are their bottoms in the sand. They are all sitting around talking about men. They are talking with their hands, talking about men, maybe they like a man, maybe they want to get married. This story is from near Walytatjara, north of Kalka. There is a big red hill there. It is called Kungka Malu.
Harry TJUTJUNA
Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa Acrylic on Linen 91 x 61cm 13331
This is a story about Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa (perentie lizard man creation story). That Wati Ngintaka (lizard man) heard the clapping sound of a beautiful grinding stone - a traditional tool used for grinding mai (food). He wanted that stone for himself, so he travelled from Arang’nga a long way east towards Wayatina, looking for the stone. He spotted Anangu tjuta (lots of Aboriginal people) at a camp. Some of the people gave him mai (food) in the form of a seed cake, but it was dry and he didn’t like it. Then one lady gave him delicious food and he knew that it had been made with seeds ground on the special grinding stone. He spied the grinding stone and stole it, hiding it in under his tail. When they all went hunting the next day, Wati Ngintaka stayed in camp, saying he had sore feet. Once they were gone, it was safe and he left, stealing the grinding stone. All the people were angry with the Wati Ngintaka and chased him. When they caught him they felt all over his body to see where he was hiding the grinding stone, but couldn’t find it. Wati Ngintaka held up his arms and claimed he didn’t have it, but eventually they saw he was hiding it, wipungka (in his tail). They speared the Wati Ngintaka and retrieved the grinding stone. He passed away at a place called Aran’nga in the Northern Territory. Ngaltutjara (poor thing).
Harry TJUTJUNA
Kungka Tjuta Acrylic on Canvas 91 x 46cm 14-188
These are lots of young girls doing milpatjunanyi, the traditional way of telling stories in the sand. These circles are their bottoms in the sand. They are all sitting around talking about men. They are talking with their hands, talking about men, maybe they like a man, maybe they want to get married. This story is from near Walytatjara, north of Kalka. There is a big red hill there. It is called Kungka Malu.
Harry TJUTJUNA
Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa Acrylic on Linen 56 x 61cm 14-257
This is a story about Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa (perentie lizard man creation story). That Wati Ngintaka (lizard man) heard the clapping sound of a beautiful grinding stone - a traditional tool used for grinding mai (food). He wanted that stone for himself, so he travelled from Arang’nga a long way east towards Wayatina, looking for the stone. He spotted Anangu tjuta (lots of Aboriginal people) at a camp. Some of the people gave him mai (food) in the form of a seed cake, but it was dry and he didn’t like it. Then one lady gave him delicious food and he knew that it had been made with seeds ground on the special grinding stone. He spied the grinding stone and stole it, hiding it in under his tail. When they all went hunting the next day, Wati Ngintaka stayed in camp, saying he had sore feet. Once they were gone, it was safe and he left, stealing the grinding stone. All the people were angry with the Wati Ngintaka and chased him. When they caught him they felt all over his body to see where he was hiding the grinding stone, but couldn’t find it. Wati Ngintaka held up his arms and claimed he didn’t have it, but eventually they saw he was hiding it, wipungka (in his tail). They speared the Wati Ngintaka and retrieved the grinding stone. He passed away at a place called Aran’nga in the Northern Territory. Ngaltutjara (poor thing).
Harry TJUTJUNA
Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa Acrylic on Linen 61 x 56cm 14-269
This is a story about Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa (perentie lizard man creation story). That Wati Ngintaka (lizard man) heard the clapping sound of a beautiful grinding stone - a traditional tool used for grinding mai (food). He wanted that stone for himself, so he travelled from Arang’nga a long way east towards Wayatina, looking for the stone. He spotted Anangu tjuta (lots of Aboriginal people) at a camp. Some of the people gave him mai (food) in the form of a seed cake, but it was dry and he didn’t like it. Then one lady gave him delicious food and he knew that it had been made with seeds ground on the special grinding stone. He spied the grinding stone and stole it, hiding it in under his tail. When they all went hunting the next day, Wati Ngintaka stayed in camp, saying he had sore feet. Once they were gone, it was safe and he left, stealing the grinding stone. All the people were angry with the Wati Ngintaka and chased him. When they caught him they felt all over his body to see where he was hiding the grinding stone, but couldn’t find it. Wati Ngintaka held up his arms and claimed he didn’t have it, but eventually they saw he was hiding it, wipungka (in his tail). They speared the Wati Ngintaka and retrieved the grinding stone. He passed away at a place called Aran’nga in the Northern Territory. Ngaltutjara (poor thing).
Harry TJUTJUNA
Wati Nyiru Acrylic on Canvas 42 x 42cm 09419
This is a story about a wati (man) named Nyiru. This is Harry’s unique interpretation of an important Tjukurpa (Dreaming story) often painted by women, known as Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters Dreaming), although Harry paints this story from the perspective of the male character - Wati Nyiru. Wati Nyiru is sitting up high on a hill at Wyalla, near Port Augusta. He watches the seven sisters go into one end of a cave, and then blocks the other end so they can’t come out. But Wati Nyiru falls asleep, only to wake up and find that they have escaped. He travels around the countryside - from Broken Hill to Nyipurana - looking for them. He is able to track the kungka mob (group of girls), as he can see the smoke from their fire. In the story, Wati Nyiru eventually catches the youngest sister and marries her. Harry identifies strongly with this ancestral figure.
Tjulkiwa ATIRA ATIRA
Birth Date Language Place of Birth
circa 1951 Pitjantjatjara Watarru
Tjulkiwa was born in 1951 at Watarru, in South Australia. Her mother is the late Kuntjiriya Mick, a celebrated artist of her time. Her father’s country is Kuntjanu, near Watarru, South Australia and her mother is from Walytjatjara in the Northern Territory. Tjulkiwa went to school in Pukatja (Ernabella) during the mission times. After finishing her schooling, she met her husband in Pukatja where they had two children. In 1968, she started learned various techniques in the Pukatja craft room. In the following decade, she spent most of her time in Fregon and her artistic pursuits led her to produce batik works. She also spent time in the Itjinpiri homeland, near Umuwa, which was her husband’s ngura (place of birth). In 1988, she returned to Pukatja to paint with acrylics on canvas, further developing her skills. She is now widowed and lives in Pipalyatjara with some of her family members. Tjulkiwa is an astute and respected member of the Pipalyatjara community. She is fluent in English and Pitjantjatjara, which comes in handy for translating in the art centre, where she is also chairperson. She has always worked in arts and crafts, first at Pukatja, then Fregon, and now at Ninuku Arts, where she paints daily. The time Tjulkiwa spent in Pukatja is evident in her work - she is a natural colourist and her work is reminiscent of the beautiful decorative style for which Pukatja (Ernabella) is renowned. She paints the story of her grandfather’s country, known as Arulya.
Collections Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Alison and Peter W. Klein, Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The Lepley Collection, Perth, WA, Australia W. & V. McGeoch Collection, Melbourne,VIC, Australia
Selected Group Exhibitions 2015 Ninuku Tjuta - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. 2012 INMA: Our Ceremony - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Nganampa Ngura (Our Place) - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Manta Irititjangku: Ngura Kutjupalakuta (Ancient Land: New Territory) - Gallery nine 5 & Harvey Art Projects, Manhattan, NY, United States of America. 2011 Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa – Yangi Yangi Fox and Ninuku Arts - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Ngura Kalatjara – Land and Colour - A.P. Bond Art Gallery, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Kulina Inma – Listen to Song - Tunbridge Gallery, Margaret River, WA, Australia. The Chairman’s Art Auction - Aboriginal Employment Strategy (AES), Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2010 Women and Colour - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Kulunypa Tjuta Paintamilani: Lots of Small Paintings - Short Street Gallery, Cairns, QLD, Australia (As part of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair). 2009 New Paintings from the Desert - Centred Art, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Pirinyi – Ninuku Artists Print Exhibition - Nomad Art Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Kulila Nganampa Tjukurpa – Listen to our Stories - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. 2008 Pirinyi – Prints from Ninuku Arts Artists - Australian Print Workshop Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2007 APY Lands Show - Australia Dreaming Art Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Sorrento Exhibition, Italy. Skin on Skin - Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Canberra, ACT, Australia. 1990 Two Homes - Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia. 1989 Wiru Tjuta - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia.
Tjulkiwa ATIRA ATIRA
Arulya Acrylic on Belgian Linen 121 x 91cm 15-185
There are two Tjukurpa (Dreaming stories) for the place called Arulya. It is a beautiful place with a cave called Kuruyiti. According to one story, some children are hiding in the cave because there is a big rain coming. Their big brother is waiting outside, eating and sleeping, but he will not come inside. When the storm comes, the hail stones come down hard and they kill the big brother, as he is not protected. This is a creation story - it has affected the landscape.You can see this cave when you visit the site. Another creation story from this place is about the Wati Tjakura (an edible skink lizard). The Wal Mala (army of male snakes) and the Wati Wanampi (male water snake) from a waterhole site known as Malara came together in battle and threw spears at Wati Tjakura. He tried to escape but they killed him, and his family came down to bury him.
Tjulkiwa ATIRA ATIRA
Arulya Acrylic on Belgian Linen 122 x 61cm 15-109
There are two Tjukurpa (Dreaming stories) for the place called Arulya. It is a beautiful place with a cave called Kuruyiti. According to one story, some children are hiding in the cave because there is a big rain coming. Their big brother is waiting outside, eating and sleeping, but he will not come inside. When the storm comes, the hail stones come down hard and they kill the big brother, as he is not protected. This is a creation story - it has affected the landscape.You can see this cave when you visit the site. Another creation story from this place is about the Wati Tjakura (an edible skink lizard). The Wal Mala (army of male snakes) and the Wati Wanampi (male water snake) from a waterhole site known as Malara came together in battle and threw spears at Wati Tjakura. He tried to escape but they killed him, and his family came down to bury him.
Tjulkiwa ATIRA ATIRA
Arulya Acrylic on Linen 91 x 46cm 13224
There are two Tjukurpa (Dreaming stories) for the place called Arulya. It is a beautiful place with a cave called Kuruyiti. According to one story, some children are hiding in the cave because there is a big rain coming. Their big brother is waiting outside, eating and sleeping, but he will not come inside. When the storm comes, the hail stones come down hard and they kill the big brother, as he is not protected. This is a creation story - it has affected the landscape.You can see this cave when you visit the site. Another creation story from this place is about the Wati Tjakura (an edible skink lizard). The Wal Mala (army of male snakes) and the Wati Wanampi (male water snake) from a waterhole site known as Malara came together in battle and threw spears at Wati Tjakura. He tried to escape but they killed him, and his family came down to bury him.
Tjulkiwa ATIRA ATIRA
Arulya Acrylic on Linen 91 x 46cm 14-032
There are two Tjukurpa (Dreaming stories) for the place called Arulya. It is a beautiful place with a cave called Kuruyiti. According to one story, some children are hiding in the cave because there is a big rain coming. Their big brother is waiting outside, eating and sleeping, but he will not come inside. When the storm comes, the hail stones come down hard and they kill the big brother, as he is not protected. This is a creation story - it has affected the landscape.You can see this cave when you visit the site. Another creation story from this place is about the Wati Tjakura (an edible skink lizard). The Wal Mala (army of male snakes) and the Wati Wanampi (male water snake) from a waterhole site known as Malara came together in battle and threw spears at Wati Tjakura. He tried to escape but they killed him, and his family came down to bury him.
Jennifer CONNELLY
Birth Date Language Place of Birth
circa 1964 Pitjantjatjara Mulga Park
Jennifer was born at Mulga Park. She has seven children, and although they are now grown up, she is a busy woman, as she is primary carer for several of her grandchildren. Jennifer has been working in the remote media industry on and off for 10 years, in Pipalyatjara, Irrunytju (Wingellina) and Umuwa. She is a skilled camera person and editor, and has painted for both Ninuku Arts in Kalka, and Kayili Arts in Patjarr community. Jennifer’s time at Patjarr in Western Australia has informed her fluid and organic painting style. She is a natural colourist and most commonly depicts the Kungkarrakalpa Tjukurpa (or Seven Sisters Dreaming). She uses two implements - a brush and punu (small stick) - to create her compositions. Her paintings have great depth, which is created by the layers in her work, with some of her shapes appearing to float on the surface of the canvas. The colours she uses (and there are often many) flow into one another to create a blended effect.
Collections Alison and Peter W. Klein, Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Selected Group Exhibitions 2015 Ninuku Tjuta - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2014 Ninuku Women’s Show, Tunbridge Gallery, Margaret River, WA, Australia. Our Mob: Art by South Australian Aboriginal Artists - Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia.
2011 Western APY Lands - Art Kelch, Freiburg, Baden-Wßrttemberg, Germany (Touring Exhibition). Women and Colour - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Ngura Kalatjara - Land and Colour, A.P. Bond Gallery, Adelaide, SA, Australia. 2010 Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Kulunypa Tjuta Paintamilani: Lots of Small Paintings - Short Street Gallery, Cairns, QLD, Australia (As part of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair).
Jennifer CONNELLY
Seven Sisters Story Acrylic on Linen 91 x 61cm 12078
Seven sisters are chased by a Wati (man) called Nyiru. He chases them across the lands, from Western Australia to Queensland. He is always stopping and harrasing those sisters. Eventually he marries the eldest one.
Yaritji CONNELLY
Birth Date Language Place of Birth
circa 1946 Pitjantjatjara Malara Rockhole
At the time of Yaritji Connelly’s birth, many Indigenous Australians who lived in remote Australia were not born in a hospital. In Yaritji’s case, she was born in the bush at an important cultural site called Malara Rockhole, the place of the Wanampi Tjukurpa (Water Serpent Dreaming). Her father’s country is Inarki and her mother’s place is Anumarapiti. As a young girl,Yaritji walked with her family to Warburton Mission in Western Australia, where she spent some time at school. Her father became homesick and consequently moved back home with his family.Yaritji is now a proud member of the Kalka community in South Australia, where she lives with her extended family. Yaritji is one of the founding directors of Ninuku Arts and has been instrumental in the success and the strong governance of the centre. She is also a highly respected cultural woman who demonstrates great leadership during ceremony. The story she paints the most is Malara Tjukurpa, her place of birth. She uses a rolling repetition of arches to depict the coil of the powerful water serpent.Yaritji leans towards a palette of punchy and complex colours, often choosing reds, oranges, yellows and greens. She puts them together with elegance and simplicity, occasionally tinting the colours to create subtle colour shifts.
Collections Artbank, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Flinders University Art Museum (FUAM), Adelaide, SA, Australia. Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Alison and Peter W. Klein, Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Lagerberg-Swift Collection, Perth, WA, Australia. The Marshall Collection, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Queensland Art Gallery (QAGOMA), Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Selected Group Exhibitions 2015 Ninuku Tjuta - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. 2012 Nganampa Ngura (Our Place) - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore INMA: Our Ceremony - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. APY Lands Emerging Art - Talapi Gallery, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Painting the Land: new works by senior Ninuku artists - Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ngintaka - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Manta Irititjangku: Ngura Kutjupalakuta (Ancient Land: New Territory) - Gallery nine 5 & Harvey Art Projects, Manhattan, NY, United States of America. 2011 Wati Ngingtaka Tjukurpa – Yangi Yangi Fox and Ninuku Arts - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. The Shared Language of Paint – Exhibition of Works from Ildiko Kovacs Residency - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Ngura Kalatjara – Land and Colour - A.P. Bond Art Gallery, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Ngura Wirukanyanku – This is a Beautiful Place - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Ngura Inkanyi – Singing Country - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Kulina Inma – Listen to Song - Tunbridge Gallery, Margaret River, WA, Australia. Western APY Lands - Art Kelch, Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (Touring Exhibition). Recent Works by Ninuku Arts - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2010 Women and Colour - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Warka Kuwari Walkatjunanyi: New paintings by the Artists of Ninuku - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Kulunypa Tjuta Paintamilani: Lots of Small Paintings - Short Street Gallery, Cairns, QLD, Australia (As part of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair). 2009 Ngintaka Tjukurpa: Perentie Lizard Dreaming - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Celebrating Country: Kingship & Culture - Seymour College, Adelaide, SA, Australia. 2008 Ninuku Arts Inaugural Sydney Show - Hogarth Galleries, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ninuku Tjukurpa – Bilby Dreaming - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. 35th Alice Prize 2008 - Alice Springs Art Foundation, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Tjukurpa Kutjupa Kutjupa: Other Stories from Ninuku Arts and Tjanpi Desert Weavers -
Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Divas of the Desert - Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2007 Ninuku Arts In Focus - Randell Lane Fine Art, Perth, WA, Australia. APY Lands Show - Australia Dreaming Art Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. All Small Christmas Show - Randell Lane Fine Art, Perth, WA, Australia. Seymour College Exhibition, Adelaide, SA, Australia. 2005 Loreto Art Exhibition – Loreto College, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Yaritji CONNELLY
Malara Acrylic on Linen 122 x 122cm 12207
This is a creation story about an ancestral figure known as Wati Wanampi (male water snake), who lived at a waterhole site known at Malara. The Wanampi gathered a group of men together to go out hunting for kuka (meat). While they were out looking for meat, another group of male water snakes known as the Wal Mala (an army of soldier snakes who came from a place called Mutitjulu) recruited them into their army. The group joined forces and travelled to a site known as Kuntjanu, where they engaged in a battle with Wati Tjakura (an edible skink lizard). They speared Wati Tjakura and killed him. The group then returned to Malara, where they rest today at the waterhole.
Yaritji CONNELLY
Malara Acrylic on Belgian Linen 91 x 91cm 12131
This is a creation story about an ancestral figure known as Wati Wanampi (male water snake), who lived at a waterhole site known at Malara. The Wanampi gathered a group of men together to go out hunting for kuka (meat). While they were out looking for meat, another group of male water snakes known as the Wal Mala (an army of soldier snakes who came from a place called Mutitjulu) recruited them into their army. The group joined forces and travelled to a site known as Kuntjanu, where they engaged in a battle with Wati Tjakura (an edible skink lizard). They speared Wati Tjakura and killed him. The group then returned to Malara, where they rest today at the waterhole.
Yangi Yangi FOX
Birth Date Language Place of Birth
circa 1956 Pitjantjatjara Pukatja (Ernabella)
Yangi Yangi Fox (often referred to as Mrs Fox) was born in 1956 in Pukatja (Ernabella). As a young girl, she went to school at Ernabella Mission, and later moved to the cattle station near the Amata community. During the homelands movement in the 1970s, she moved to Pipalyatjara to be closer to her traditional lands. Mrs Fox is a senior woman in the Pipalyatjara community and holds a position at the local health clinic. She is also an astute craftswoman and is an expert in punu (wood carving); she is a celebrated dancer and is heavily involved in culture and ceremony. Her two daughters, Renae and Tanisha, are both practising artists. Mrs Fox has a meticulous way of dotting and composing a painting which reveals her unique aesthetic, especially in contrast to the other female artists. Her tightly dotted technique and formal compositions create an optical feast for the viewer her paintings waiver and radiate in simplistic elegance.
Collections Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Alison and Peter W. Klein, Ludwigsburg, Baden-WĂźrttemberg, Germany.
Selected Solo Exhibitions 2011 Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa – Yangi Yangi Fox and Ninuku Arts - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia
Selected Group Exhibitions 2015 Ninuku Tjuta - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. 2013 Strong Women - Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre, Muswellbrook, NSW, Australia. 2012 Manta Irititjangku: Ngura Kutjupalakuta (Ancient Land: New Territory) - Gallery nine 5 & Harvey Art Projects, Manhattan, NY, United States of America. Ngintaka - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2011 Western APY Lands - Art Kelch, Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (Touring Exhibition). 2010 Kulunypa Tjuta Paintamilani: Lots of Small Paintings - Short Street Gallery, Cairns, QLD, Australia (As part of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair). Women and Colour - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. 2009 Pirinyi – Ninuku Artists Print Exhibition - Nomad Art Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Kulila Nganampa Tjukurpa – Listen to our Stories - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Ngintaka Tjukurpa: Perentie Lizard Dreaming - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Ngura Tjuta: Big Country - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. 2008 Ninuku Arts Inaugural Sydney Show - Hogarth Galleries, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ninuku Tjukurpa – Bilby Dreaming - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Pirinyi – Prints from Ninuku Arts Artists - Australian Print Workshop Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Tjukurpa Kutjupa Kutjupa: Other Stories from Ninuku Arts and Tjanpi Desert Weavers Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. 2007 APY Lands Show - Australia Dreaming Art Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Ninuku Arts In Focus - Randell Lane Fine Art, Perth, WA, Australia. 2004 The Summer Salon - Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia.
Yangi Yangi FOX
Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa Acrylic on Linen 122 x 91cm 13055
This is a story about Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa (perentie lizard man creation story). That Wati Ngintaka (lizard man) heard the clapping sound of a beautiful grinding stone - a traditional tool used for grinding mai (food). He wanted that stone for himself, so he travelled from Arang’nga a long way east towards Wayatina, looking for the stone. He spotted Anangu tjuta (lots of Aboriginal people) at a camp. Some of the people gave him mai (food) in the form of a seed cake, but it was dry and he didn’t like it. Then one lady gave him delicious food and he knew that it had been made with seeds ground on the special grinding stone. He spied the grinding stone and stole it, hiding it in under his tail. When they all went hunting the next day, Wati Ngintaka stayed in camp, saying he had sore feet. Once they were gone, it was safe and he left, stealing the grinding stone. All the people were angry with the Wati Ngintaka and chased him. When they caught him they felt all over his body to see where he was hiding the grinding stone, but couldn’t find it. Wati Ngintaka held up his arms and claimed he didn’t have it, but eventually they saw he was hiding it, wipungka (in his tail). They speared the Wati Ngintaka and retrieved the grinding stone. He passed away at a place called Aran’nga in the Northern Territory. Ngaltutjara (poor thing).
Samuel MILLER
Birth Date Language Place of Birth
23 Dec 1966 Pitjantjatjara Ernabella Mission
Samuel Miller was born in 1966 at Ernabella Mission. When Samuel’s mother passed away, his father’s second wife, Molly Nampitjin Miller, cared for him. Molly is a founding director of Ninuku Arts. When growing up, Samuel moved between Amata and Pipalyatjara, but he now resides in Kalka with Molly and the rest of her family. A committed member of Ninuku Arts, Samuel usually paints every day. His paintings depict the traditional iconography of his land, which lies to the east of Pipalyatjara - rockholes, creeks and hills feature in his work, all immersed in Tjukurpa (Dreaming stories). Samuel’s paintings are mesmerising. His composition is minimalist and he makes extensive use of radiating colours, which are largely drawn from the varying colours in the landscape surrounding his country. He is fastidious in his approach and works with a large number of paint colours, which he spreads out around him as he paints. Although he is one of the youngest men painting at the art centre, Samuel is confident and focussed in his approach.
Collections Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Artbank, Sydney, NSW, Australia. W. & V. McGeoch Collection, Melbourne,VIC, Australia.
Selected Solo Exhibitions 2010 Ngayuku Ngura – My Home - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia.
Selected Group Exhibitions 2015 Ninuku Tjuta - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. 2012 Nganampa Ngura (Our Place) - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. Manta Irititjangku: Ngura Kutjupalakuta (Ancient Land: New Territory) - Gallery nine 5 & Harvey Art Projects, Manhattan, NY, United States of America. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2011 Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa – Yangi Yangi Fox and Ninuku Arts - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Ngura Wirukanyanku – This is a Beautiful Place - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Ngura Kalatjara – Land and Colour - A.P. Bond Art Gallery, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Western APY Lands - Art Kelch, Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (Touring Exhibition). Shalom Gamarada Charity Fundraiser - Shalom College, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Five Strong Men - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2010 Ninuku Arts Group Show - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Desert Country - Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Warka Kuwari Walkatjunanyi: New paintings by the Artists of Ninuku - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Kulunypa Tjuta Paintamilani: Lots of Small Paintings - Short Street Gallery, Cairns, QLD, Australia (As part of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair). 2009 Ngura Tjuta: Big Country - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Ngintaka Tjukurpa: Perentie Lizard Dreaming - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Pirinyi – Ninuku Artists Print Exhibition - Nomad Art Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Kulila Nganampa Tjukurpa – Listen to our Stories - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Alwarawara: Side By Side – Artists from Ninuku Arts, Tjungu Palya and Tjala Arts Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. 2008 Ninuku Tjukurpa – Bilby Dreaming - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Ninuku Arts Inaugural Sydney Show - Hogarth Galleries, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Tjukurpa Kutjupa Kutjupa: Other Stories from Ninuku Arts and Tjanpi Desert Weavers Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. 2007 Anangu Backyard - The Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Skin on Skin - Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Ninuku Arts In Focus - Randell Lane Fine Art, Perth, WA, Australia.
Samuel MILLER
Ngayuku Ngura Acrylic on Linen 244 x 183cm 12073
Ngayuku Ngura means ‘My Place’. Samuel Miller paints traditional iconography of his land, east of Kalka. Rockholes, creeks and hills feature in his paintings, all immersed in Tjukurpa (Dreaming stories). His land is a sacred men’s rockhole and the name is not allowed to be written down. His colour palette is drawn from the varying colours in the landscape surrounding Kalka and Pipalyatjara, and used in a rainbow-like patterning in his work.
Samuel Miller, working on his painting 12073 Source: Š Photo Courtesy of Ninuku Arts
Samuel MILLER
Ngayuku Ngura Acrylic on Linen 183 x 183cm 11344
Ngayuku Ngura means ‘My Place’. Samuel Miller paints traditional iconography of his land, east of Kalka. Rockholes, creeks and hills feature in his paintings, all immersed in Tjukurpa (Dreaming stories). His land is a sacred men’s rockhole and the name is not allowed to be written down. His colour palette is drawn from the varying colours in the landscape surrounding Kalka and Pipalyatjara, and used in a rainbow-like patterning in his work.
Samuel MILLER
Ngayuku Ngura Acrylic on Linen 122 x 107cm 15-65
Ngayuku Ngura means ‘My Place’. Samuel Miller paints traditional iconography of his land, east of Kalka. Rockholes, creeks and hills feature in his paintings, all immersed in Tjukurpa (Dreaming stories). His land is a sacred men’s rockhole and the name is not allowed to be written down. His colour palette is drawn from the varying colours in the landscape surrounding Kalka and Pipalyatjara, and used in a rainbow-like patterning in his work.
Samuel MILLER
Ngayuku Ngura Acrylic on Linen 107 x 91cm 14-152
Ngayuku Ngura means ‘My Place’. Samuel Miller paints traditional iconography of his land, east of Kalka. Rockholes, creeks and hills feature in his paintings, all immersed in Tjukurpa (Dreaming stories). His land is a sacred men’s rockhole and the name is not allowed to be written down. His colour palette is drawn from the varying colours in the landscape surrounding Kalka and Pipalyatjara, and used in a rainbow-like patterning in his work.
Samuel MILLER
Ngayuku Ngura Acrylic on Linen 107 x 91cm 14-398
Ngayuku Ngura means ‘My Place’. Samuel Miller paints traditional iconography of his land, east of Kalka. Rockholes, creeks and hills feature in his paintings, all immersed in Tjukurpa (Dreaming stories). His land is a sacred men’s rockhole and the name is not allowed to be written down. His colour palette is drawn from the varying colours in the landscape surrounding Kalka and Pipalyatjara, and used in a rainbow-like patterning in his work.
Samuel MILLER
Ngayuku Ngura Acrylic on Linen 91 x 91cm 14-161
Ngayuku Ngura means ‘My Place’. Samuel Miller paints traditional iconography of his land, east of Kalka. Rockholes, creeks and hills feature in his paintings, all immersed in Tjukurpa (Dreaming stories). His land is a sacred men’s rockhole and the name is not allowed to be written down. His colour palette is drawn from the varying colours in the landscape surrounding Kalka and Pipalyatjara, and used in a rainbow-like patterning in his work.
Samuel MILLER
Ngayuku Ngura Acrylic on Canvas 91 x 91cm 15-47
Ngayuku Ngura means ‘My Place’. Samuel Miller paints traditional iconography of his land, east of Kalka. Rockholes, creeks and hills feature in his paintings, all immersed in Tjukurpa (Dreaming stories). His land is a sacred men’s rockhole and the name is not allowed to be written down. His colour palette is drawn from the varying colours in the landscape surrounding Kalka and Pipalyatjara, and used in a rainbow-like patterning in his work.
Molly NAMPITJIN MILLER
Birth Date Language Place of Birth
circa 1948 Pitjantjatjara Papulankutja
Molly Nampitjin Miller was born ‘a bush baby’, circa 1948. She moved to Warburton Mission when she was a girl, living in a dormitory with a group of other girls while the rest of her family stayed in the nearby camp. Later she married and moved with her husband to Amata, where she had five children. Molly is a strong presence as co-founding director for Ninuku Arts, as well as a respected elder within the Kalka community. She comes from a strong artistic family; her sisters are Dr. Pantjiti Mary McLean and Elaine Lane from Blackstone and her brother is fellow Ninuku artist, Jimmy Donegan (Telstra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Winner, 2010). Molly uses traditional iconography to create her depictions of both sacred sites and the places where she spent time as a child. She paints in a considered manner, placing the dots on her canvas with precision and a steady hand. Molly works in layers, often creating colour shifts by dipping her brush or stick into two paint pots before touching the surface. This adds depth and perspective to her compositions and calmly and peacefully invites the viewer into her painting.
Collections Artbank, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Flinders University Art Museum (FUAM), Adelaide, SA, Australia. Alison and Peter W. Klein, Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The Merenda Collection, Fremantle, WA, Australia.
Selected Group Exhibitions 2010 Ninuku Tjuta - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2014 Ninuku Women’s Show, Tunbridge Gallery, Margaret River, WA, Australia. Our Mob: Art by South Australian Aboriginal Artists - Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia. 2013 Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Ninuku Group Show - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. 2012 INMA: Our Ceremony - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. APY Lands Emerging Art - Talapi Gallery, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. One Song, Different Tune - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Manta Irititjangku: Ngura Kutjupalakuta (Ancient Land: New Territory) - Gallery nine 5 & Harvey Art Projects, Manhattan, NY, United States of America. Nganampa Ngura (Our Place) - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. 2011 Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa – Yangi Yangi Fox and Ninuku Arts - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Ngura Wirukanyanku – This is a Beautiful Place - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. The Shared Language of Paint – Exhibition of Works from Ildiko Kovacs Residency - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Western APY Lands - Art Kelch, Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (Touring Exhibition). Ngura Kalatjara – Land and Colour - A.P. Bond Art Gallery, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Kulina Inma – Listen to Song - Tunbridge Gallery, Margaret River, WA, Australia. 2010 Kulunypa Tjuta Paintamilani: Lots of Small Paintings - Short Street Gallery, Cairns, QLD, Australia (As part of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair). Warka Kuwari Walkatjunanyi: New paintings by the Artists of Ninuku - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Women and Colour - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2009 Ngintaka Tjukurpa: Perentie Lizard Dreaming - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Alwarawara: Side By Side – Artists from Ninuku Arts, Tjungu Palya and Tjala Arts -
Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. 2008 Ninuku Arts Inaugural Sydney Show - Hogarth Galleries, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ninuku Tjukurpa – Bilby Dreaming - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Darlings of the Desert - Putipul Gallery, Noosa, QLD, Australia. Big Country - Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Divas of the Desert - Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2007 Skin on Skin - Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Canberra, ACT, Australia. APY Lands Show - Australia Dreaming Art Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Ninuku Arts In Focus - Randell Lane Fine Art, Perth, WA, Australia. 2004 The Women’s Show - Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia.
Molly NAMPITJIN MILLER
Mamungara Acrylic on Linen 91 x 91cm 15-236
This is a true story at a place west of Walytjatjara (north of Kalka) in South Australia. A child was riding on his father’s shoulders when he saw a figure in the distance. What the child spotted was the sleeping mamu (spirit) and the father told the child to watch the mamu who was lying in a wiltja (shelter) with a fire. The mamu had no teeth but smelled the child and woke up. The mamu looked around and located the child, but luckily the father returned just in time.
Molly NAMPITJIN MILLER
Mamungara Acrylic on Belgian Linen 61 x 56cm 15-111
This is a true story at a place west of Walytjatjara (north of Kalka) in South Australia. A child was riding on his father’s shoulders when he saw a figure in the distance. What the child spotted was the sleeping mamu (spirit) and the father told the child to watch the mamu who was lying in a wiltja (shelter) with a fire. The mamu had no teeth but smelled the child and woke up. The mamu looked around and located the child, but luckily the father returned just in time.
Nyanu WATSON
Birth Date Language Place of Birth
circa 1951 Pitjantjatjara near Pukatja (Ernabella)
Nyanu was born at a site near Pukatja (Ernabella). As a young girl, she worked at the mission, spinning and dyeing wools to make rugs. She later moved to the neighbouring community of Amata, where she began work in the local store and cooked food for the children at the school. During the homelands movement (an initiative to enable Anangu to return to their own country), Nyanu travelled to Kalka, where she still lives today. As well as being an avid craftswoman - mostly wood carving and grass weaving - Nyanu is a regular painter at the art centre and is a prominent member of Ninuku Arts. Nyanu is known for her unusual depictions of various animals found in the area surrounding Kalka. She uses a combination of brushwork and dotting to create the highly stylised and unique creatures for which she has become known. Some of her favourites include the ngintaka (perentie), anumara (a type of caterpillar), and kakalyalya (pink cockatoo).
Collections Artbank, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Sir James and Lady Cruthers Collection, Perth, WA, Australia. Lagerberg-Swift Collection, Perth, WA, Australia. The Martin Copley Collection.
Awards 2010 Ninuku Tjuta - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. 2013 Strong Women - Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre, Muswellbrook, NSW, Australia. 2012 Manta Irititjangku: Ngura Kutjupalakuta (Ancient Land: New Territory) - Gallery nine 5 & Harvey Art Projects, Manhattan, NY, United States of America. INMA: Our Ceremony - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
2011 2010
2009
2008
2007
Ngintaka - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Four Artists – Sandy Brumby, Jimmy Donegan, Harry Tjutjuna, Nyanu Watson - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Ngura Kalatjara – Land and Colour - A.P. Bond Art Gallery, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Kulunypa Tjuta Paintamilani: Lots of Small Paintings - Short Street Gallery, Cairns, QLD, Australia (As part of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair). Warka Kuwari Walkatjunanyi: New paintings by the Artists of Ninuku - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Women and Colour - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Kulila Nganampa Tjukurpa – Listen to our Stories - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Pirinyi – Ninuku Artists Print Exhibition - Nomad Art Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Ngura Tjuta: Big Country - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Ngintaka Tjukurpa: Perentie Lizard Dreaming - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Celebrating Country: Kingship & Culture - Seymour College, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Ninuku Arts Inaugural Sydney Show - Hogarth Galleries, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Tjukurpa Kutjupa Kutjupa: Other Stories from Ninuku Arts and Tjanpi Desert Weavers Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Anangu Backyard - The Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Seymour College Exhibition, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Skin on Skin - Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
Nyanu WATSON
Ipuru Kutjara Acrylic on Linen 91 x 122cm 12123
This is a painting of two Ipuru (Spinifex Pigeon) who are husband and wife. They are in love and spending time together.
Puntjina Monica WATSON
Birth Date Language Place of Birth
circa 1940 Pitjantjatjara Pukara
Puntjina, also known as Monica, was born circa 1940 at Pukara, an important rockhole and water snake Tjukurpa (Dreaming story) site in Western Australia. As a young girl, she walked to Pukatja (Ernabella) with her father and his three wives - the youngest of them was celebrated artist Wingu Tingima. When she was a bit older, Puntjina worked in the craft room at Pukatja, but she then married Wimitja Watson - a Ngangkari (traditional healer) - and moved with him to Amata, where they had many children. The family wanted to be closer to their home country so during the homelands movement of the late 1970s they moved to Pipalyatjara. Puntjina is an important elder in Pipalyatjara, where she continues to live with her husband and family. Both she and her husband are heavily involved in cultural business and travel across much of the area to participate in it. Monica has become known for her vibrant use of colour, particularly an iconic, high-key yellow. She also has a quirky approach to composition, often framing her paintings with an intricate border created by a plethora of coloured dots. Monica is a committed artist, painting every day at Ninuku Art Centre, and has established herself as one of the centre’s leading artists.
Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia. Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Artbank, Sydney, NSW, Australia. National Gallery of Australia (NGA), Canberra, ACT, Australia. Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Sir James and Lady Cruthers Collection, Perth, WA, Australia. W. & V. McGeoch Collection, Melbourne,VIC, Australia.
Selected Group Exhibitions 2010 Ninuku Tjuta - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. 2012 Manta Irititjangku: Ngura Kutjupalakuta (Ancient Land: New Territory) - Gallery nine 5 & Harvey Art Projects, Manhattan, NY, United States of America. Nganampa Ngura (Our Place) - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. APY Lands Emerging Art - Talapi Gallery, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Painting the Land: new works by senior Ninuku artists - Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. One Song, Different Tune - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. 2011 Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa – Yangi Yangi Fox and Ninuku Arts - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. The Shared Language of Paint – Exhibition of Works from Ildiko Kovacs Residency - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Ngura Wirukanyanku – This is a Beautiful Place - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Desert Country - Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Ngura Kalatjara – Land and Colour - A.P. Bond Art Gallery, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Shalom Gamarada Charity Fundraiser - Shalom College, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Kulina Inma – Listen to Song - Tunbridge Gallery, Margaret River, WA, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Western APY Lands - Art Kelch, Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (Touring Exhibition). Recent Works by Ninuku Arts - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2010 Kulunypa Tjuta Paintamilani: Lots of Small Paintings - Short Street Gallery, Cairns, QLD, Australia (As part of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair). Warka Kuwari Walkatjunanyi: New paintings by the Artists of Ninuku - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Women and Colour - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2009 Ngura Tjuta: Big Country - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Tjungu: All Together - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ngintaka Tjukurpa: Perentie Lizard Dreaming - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Kulila Nganampa Tjukurpa – Listen to our Stories - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT,
Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Pirinyi – Ninuku Artists Print Exhibition - Nomad Art Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. 2008 Ninuku Arts Inaugural Sydney Show - Hogarth Galleries, Sydney, NSW, Australia. South Australian Living Artists Festival - Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Ninuku Tjukurpa – Bilby Dreaming - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. 35th Alice Prize 2008 - Alice Springs Art Foundation, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Pirinyi – Prints from Ninuku Arts Artists - Australian Print Workshop Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Mark Making in Print, South Australian Impressions - Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Tjukurpa Kutjupa Kutjupa: Other Stories from Ninuku Arts and Tjanpi Desert Weavers Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. 2007 APY Lands Show - Australia Dreaming Art Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Skin on Skin - Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Anangu Backyard - The Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Our Mob: Art by South Australian Aboriginal Artists - Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Ninuku Arts In Focus - Randell Lane Fine Art, Perth, WA, Australia.
Puntjina Monica WATSON
Pukara Acrylic on Linen 122 x 122cm 12184
This is a story about Kaliny-kalinypa (honey grevillea plant), which Anangu (the term for people in Pitjantjatjara) use as a type of bush lolly, sucking the nectar out of the plant. In the Tjukurpa (Dreaming story), a father and son, Wati Kutjara Wanampi (two male water snakes), are living at Pukara, an important waterhole site near Irrunytju (Wingellina) in Western Australia. According to the story, Anangu tjuta (lots of people) went to that waterhole for the kapi (water), which is said to taste sweet due to the Kaliny-kalinypa found at the site. This upsets the father Wati Wanampi didn’t like this and he told them to go back to their own country. Once the people left, the father and son travel to Willuna, where they camped for weeks. They then returned to Pukara. One day when they were sleeping, they were awoken by a loud buzzing sound. The Minyma Punpunpa (the female flies) had been attracted to the honey grevillea plants found near the waterhole and were making lots of noise as they buzz around the honey bush. It prompted the father and son to get up and collect honey from the plants. While they were collecting, the Wati Mututa (male black ants) appeared and speared the son in his side. The young son started spitting and spits out the yellow and orange seeds of all the different varieties of honey grevillea plants that are still found at the site today. They include Kaliny-kalinypa, Ultunkunpa, Piruwa and Witjinti.
Puntjina Monica WATSON
Wiiku Wiiku Acrylic on Linen 121 x 121cm 10387
This is a story about Kaliny-kalinypa (honey grevillea plant), which Anangu (the term for people in Pitjantjatjara) use as a type of bush lolly, sucking the nectar out of the plant. In the Tjukurpa (Dreaming story), a father and son, Wati Kutjara Wanampi (two male water snakes), are living at Pukara, an important waterhole site near Irrunytju (Wingellina). Because of the Kaliny-kalinypa which is found at the site, the water there has a sweet taste and lots of people go there to access it. But father Wati Wanampi didn’t like this and he told them to go back to their own country. The people leave and the father and son travel to Willuna, where they camped for weeks. When they return to Pukara, they are awoken by a buzzing sound. Minyma Punpunpa (the female flies) are making lots of noise as they buzz around the honey bush. This prompts the father and son to get up to go and collect honey. While they are doing this, a Wati Mututa (black ant) finds the father and son, and spears the son in his side. The young son starts spitting and he spits up the yellow and orange seeds of all the different types of honey grevillea. These plants can still be found at this site today. There is a big variety of honey grevillea plants including Kaliny-kalinypa, Ultunkunpa, Piruwa and Witjinti.
Puntjina Monica WATSON
Pukara Acrylic on Linen 107 x 91cm 12321
This is a story about Kaliny-kalinypa (honey grevillea plant), which Anangu (the term for people in Pitjantjatjara) use as a type of bush lolly, sucking the nectar out of the plant. In the Tjukurpa (Dreaming story), a father and son, Wati Kutjara Wanampi (two male water snakes), are living at Pukara, an important waterhole site near Irrunytju (Wingellina). Because of the Kaliny-kalinypa which is found at the site, the water there has a sweet taste and lots of people go there to access it. But father Wati Wanampi didn’t like this and he told them to go back to their own country. The people leave and the father and son travel to Willuna, where they camped for weeks. When they return to Pukara, they are awoken by a buzzing sound. Minyma Punpunpa (the female flies) are making lots of noise as they buzz around the honey bush. This prompts the father and son to get up to go and collect honey. While they are doing this, a Wati Mututa (black ant) finds the father and son, and spears the son in his side. The young son starts spitting and he spits up the yellow and orange seeds of all the different types of honey grevillea. These plants can still be found at this site today. There is a big variety of honey grevillea plants including Kaliny-kalinypa, Ultunkunpa, Piruwa and Witjinti.
Puntjina Monica WATSON
Pukara Acrylic on Linen 91 x 91cm 15-208
This is a story about Kaliny-kalinypa (honey grevillea plant), which Anangu (the term for people in Pitjantjatjara) use as a type of bush lolly, sucking the nectar out of the plant. In the Tjukurpa (Dreaming story), a father and son, Wati Kutjara Wanampi (two male water snakes), are living at Pukara, an important waterhole site near Irrunytju (Wingellina). Because of the Kaliny-kalinypa which is found at the site, the water there has a sweet taste and lots of people go there to access it. But father Wati Wanampi didn’t like this and he told them to go back to their own country. The people leave and the father and son travel to Willuna, where they camped for weeks. When they return to Pukara, they are awoken by a buzzing sound. Minyma Punpunpa (the female flies) are making lots of noise as they buzz around the honey bush. This prompts the father and son to get up to go and collect honey. While they are doing this, a Wati Mututa (black ant) finds the father and son, and spears the son in his side. The young son starts spitting and he spits up the yellow and orange seeds of all the different types of honey grevillea. These plants can still be found at this site today. There is a big variety of honey grevillea plants including Kaliny-kalinypa, Ultunkunpa, Piruwa and Witjinti.
Nyayati Stanley YOUNG
Birth Date Language Place of Birth
circa 1949 Pitjantjatjara west of Irrunytju
Nyayati Stanley Young was born west of Irrunytju at a secret sacred rockhole site, in around 1949. He grew up in the bush and travelled with his family around the areas of Irrunytju and Pipalyatjara. As a young boy he went to school at Ernabella Mission but returned to Pipalyatjara as a man where he taught white fella’s Pitjantjatjara. This was a long time ago, when Anangu (People in Pitjantjatjara) were living in Wiltja’s (traditional shelter’s), though Stanley lived in a house. Nyayati has had many jobs including geologist for mining companies, rubbish truck driver and cattleman, working on the Amata station and Mulga Park station. He tells of one story when he rode from Alice Springs to Kalka bareback in a race with a friend. He now lives in Kalka Community and is a senior lawman, respected elder and celebrated dancer.
Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia. Artbank, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Selected Group Exhibitions 2010 Ninuku Tjuta - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. 2012 APY Lands Emerging Art - Talapi Gallery, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Nganampa Ngura (Our Place) - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. 2011 Ngura Wirukanyanku – This is a Beautiful Place - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Ngura Kalatjara – Land and Colour - A.P. Bond Art Gallery, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
2010
2009
2008
2007
Five Strong Men - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Wati Ngintaka Tjukurpa – Yangi Yangi Fox and Ninuku Arts - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Warka Kuwari Walkatjunanyi: New paintings by the Artists of Ninuku - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Women and Colour - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Ngura Tjuta: Big Country - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Pirinyi – Ninuku Artists Print Exhibition - Nomad Art Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Tjungu: All Together - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ngintaka Tjukurpa: Perentie Lizard Dreaming - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. South Australian Living Artists Festival - Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Ninuku Arts Inaugural Sydney Show - Hogarth Galleries, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ninuku Tjukurpa – Bilby Dreaming - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne,VIC, Australia. Pirinyi – Prints from Ninuku Arts Artists - Australian Print Workshop Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Tjukurpa Kutjupa Kutjupa: Other Stories from Ninuku Arts and Tjanpi Desert Weavers Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Ninuku Arts In Focus - Randell Lane Fine Art, Perth, WA, Australia. Our Mob: Art by South Australian Aboriginal Artists - Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Ninuku Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia.
Nyayati Stanley YOUNG
Kalaya Tjukurpa (Emu Dreaming) Acrylic on Linen 122 x 107cm 13164
This is the story of Kalaya Tjukurpa, Emu Dreaming, travelling from Anoll to Ti Pi otherside (south) of Watarru close to Ngura ngri. This country is south of Kalka in South Australia.
The Paint Room at Ninuku Art Centre Source: Š Paul Patterson
“We are the minyma mangkurpa (three women) fromInNyapari (Tjampawa), Kanpi collaboration with (Maureen) and Watarru (Beryl).We come together at Tjungu Palya art centre to paint.� Maureen Baker Artist and Tjungu Palya Director
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