REDOT FINE ART GALLERY in collaboration with Warlayirti Artists (Balgo) presents
Imelda and Family A Collection of Fine Warlayirti Indigenous Art
7 th July - 30 th July 2016
Gallery 1 & 2
For a high resolution, downloadable, PDF version of this catalogue, with pricing, please send us an email to info@redotgallery.com Thank you.
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ReDot Fine Art Gallery respects Indigenous communities and culture and advocates the practice of purchasing exclusively from community art centre organisations. Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this publication may contain images, names, references and/or stories of deceased persons which may cause sadness or distress.
View of the Balgo Pound Source: © Photo Courtesy of Warlayirti Artists (Balgo)
Imelda and Family After last year’s inaugural show at the new gallery location on Hill Street, ReDot Fine Art Gallery is extremely honoured to follow up with another show by the exciting Imelda (Yukenbarri) Gugaman. This time, her new body of works is accompanied by close family members from the remote Indigenous community of Balgo Hills and their community art centre known officially as Warlayirti Arts. In this exhibition Imelda shares the artistic stage with Theresa, Geraldine, Madeline and Ann Nowee (all direct cousins of Imelda from her paternal side), all close collaborators in what has been an artistic Indigenous hotspot for over 20 years. This art centre is also known as Balgo Arts, and continues to producing some of the most important Indigenous artists of all time. Imelda and Family is a collection of 30 new works by this group of ladies and one very special collaborative work that fuses the relatives together, which is an explosion of colour and harmony as their respective tjukurpas (Dreaming stories) are delicately stitched together on one imposing canvas which traverses some of the most beautiful country in the south-eastern Kimberley region. Imelda’s stunning and meticulously executed oeuvres of soft ochre colours are joined by bolder and more vivaciously coloured masterpieces by Theresa and Ann, whilst Geraldine and Madeline remind us all that the talent vein in this family is very deep and Imelda’s position as the doyenne is not to be taken for granted.
Spinifex Grasses at Balgo Lookout Source: © Photo Courtesy of Warlayirti Artists (Balgo)
Works by the Nowee sisters are imbued with important stories that were bequeathed to them by their late father, Brandy Tjungurrayi, who was an imposing man with far reaching ceremonial responsibilities in Balgo. He was the elder sibling of Helicopter Tjungurrayi, regarded as one of the most important living Indigenous artists. Winpurpurla, Imelda’s sacred country is joined by Wirrimanu, Minyilpa, Yarki and Puntujalpa – all important soakage or rockhole sites in and around the famous Canning Stock Route. All the works are an amazing affirmation of these artists’ painterly pointillism style. They bringing the viewer into a very remote landscape of Indigenous Australia, creating meandering, three dimensional topographical maps of the soakage waterhole sites of their beloved country. The exhibition begins on Thursday 7th July and runs until Saturday 30th July 2016. It will be attended in person again by Imelda and this time with Ann Nowee, as they offer their country and its secrets to the Singaporean public. It is a must-see show for anyone interested in following the recent developments in Indigenous Art and an opportunity to meet two beautiful and talented proponents of one of the world’s oldest art forms.
Giorgio Pilla Director ReDot Fine Art Gallery
Various Warlayirti Artists (WOMEN’S COLLABORATIVE) Nynmi Acrylic on Linen 180 x 150cm 137-16
Five Warlayirti artists, Imelda (Yukenbarri) Gugaman, Ann (Frances) Nowee (Nanguri), Geraldine Nowee, Madeline Nowee and Theresa Nowee have collaborated on this major painting to depict the country around Nynmi, on the Canning Stock Route in the Great Sandy Desert of Western Australia. This is the country belonging to the artists’ fathers. The artists visited this sacred site together in 2015 and said it was ideal for their painting. The central circle indicates a sacred rockhole, Minyilpa warniri, where the water never runs out. People refer to this as ‘living water’. The two yellow undulating lines represent tali (sand dunes) and the many dots depict the bush tucker and seeds that grow around the rockhole. Local women would walk around this country collecting seeds to make damper with and hunting for bush tucker including goanna, blue tongue lizards and sand frogs that hide under the sand. The men would hunt for kangaroos and wild ‘pussycats’. For the CV of individual artists, kindly refer to the corresponding artist’s pages.
Artists Working Together on their Collaborative Painting (137-16). From left: Madeline Nowee, Geraldine Nowee, Ann (Frances) Nowee (Nanguri) Source: Š Photo Courtesy of Warlayirti Artists (Balgo)
Imelda (Yukenbarri) Gugaman with Giorgio Pilla, Director of ReDot Fine Art Gallery, at her First Solo Exhibition in 2015 Source: © Photo Courtesy of ReDot Fine Art Gallery
Imelda (YUKENBARRI) GUGAMAN Birth Date Place of Birth Language Skin/Clan
1954 Sandy Hills near Kiwirrikurra Kukatja Nakamarra
Imelda (Yukenbarri) Gugaman walked into the old Balgo Mission with her mother, who was the accomplished painter Lucy Yukenbarri (c. 1934 – 2003). Her father is the world-renowned Helicopter Tjungurrayi - not only a highly collectable artist in his own right, but famous for his exploits as a child when found almost starving in the desert by patrol workers, and one of the most senior law-men of the Northern-Central Deserts of Australia. Imelda lived in the dormitories at the Mission for a number of years as a small child and was looked after by the nuns and has fond memories of this time. She attended the government school at Balgo and left school in 1969. She then lived for a short period in Beagle Bay where she met her husband. They started a family there and after their second child, they moved back to Balgo where they had two more children. She used to spend a lot of time with her mother and painted alongside her. Her mother would explain the importance of passing on the stories they were painting and how Imelda needed to pass them onto her children and grandchildren, which she continues to do. When Imelda’s husband passed away, she lived in Mulan for a short time and then moved back to Balgo, where she lives today. Imelda is proud to carry on the legacy of the painting style and stories of her mother. As well as painting in the Art Centre every day, she is an active member of the community and has served on the Warlayirti Board of Directors for many years, where she is currently the Board’s Vice-Chair. She has travelled around Australia and overseas with her art, and recently travelled to Melbourne to attend the opening of “Warlayirti: The Art of Balgo” and dance with other Balgo artists at the National Gallery of Victoria in St Kilda.
Selected Solo Exhibition 2015 Winpurpurla – A Solo Show by Imelda (Yukenbarri) Gugaman - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore.
Selected Group Exhibitions 2016 Imelda and Family - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. Songlines – NAIDOC 2016 - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore (at Australian High Commission). Women of the Desert – Warlayirti Women - Aboriginal Signature Gallery, Brussels, Belgium. 2015 Revealed - Gallery Central, Perth, WA, Australia. Warlayirti Artists – Art from Balgo - Art Atrium Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia 2014 Warlayirti: The Art of Balgo - RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC & Araluen Art Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Balgo 2014 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Balgo: Past & Present - Cooee Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2013 Convergence – Two Worlds - Short St Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Seoul Open Arts Fair, Seoul, Korea (Represented by Warlayirti Artists & Desart). Balgo 2013 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2012 WaterMark – The Signature of Life - International Development for Australian Indigenous Art (IDAIA), Hong Kong (Toured to Singapore in 2014). Gestuelles – The Art of Transmission by Aboriginal Desert Women - International Development for Australian Indigenous Art (IDAIA), Brisbane, QLD, Australia (Touring Exhibition in Australia). Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Wangkartu, Winpurpurla – Soakwaters Continuing Through Time - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
2012 Balgo 2012 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Pro Community – Warlayirti Artists - ARTKELCH, Freiburg, Germany (Touring Exhibition in Germany). 2011 BALGO – 2011 - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2010 Kinti kinti, Purrka purrka – The Balgo Way - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. “Ingalimpa Tjuntu” – Singing Songs (We sing the country and that’s how we find the way) - Audi Forum Building, Tokyo, Japan (Represented by Warlayirti Artists & ReDot Fine Art Gallery). 2009 Yukan – New Moon - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Lamparrta, Tjanu, Nyarni - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2008 Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. The Power of Observation – Emerging Artists Exhibition - Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. From Wirrimanu - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Balgo 2008 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Warlayirti Artists – Work from the Australian Desert - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. 2 x 2 Sisters, All One Family - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2007 Survey Exhibition - Tony Bond Gallery, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Group Exhibition - Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs, NT, Australia Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2006 Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. A Journey through Balgo Hills - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. 2005 Helicopter Tjungurrayi, Imelda (Gugaman) Yukenbarri, Christine Yukenbarri, Carmel Yukenbarri - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Imelda (YUKENBARRI) GUGAMAN Winpurpurla Acrylic on Linen 180 x 150cm 138-16
Imelda (Yukenbarri) Gugaman is the first child born to Lucy Yukenbarri and Helicopter Tjungurrayi. Imelda would sit with her mother, learning about her stories and learning to paint. In this painting, Imelda has depicted her mother’s country south of Balgo, in the Great Sandy Desert. This country is named Winpurpurla, after a tjurnu (soakwater). Winpurpurla is an inta (living water) place so it always has good water. Women travelled to Winpurpurla, travelling from the south over tali (sand dunes). These women were Napanangka, Nangala and Nungurrayi, and as they approached their destination they sang to inform their arrival. Those who were waiting at Winpurpurla lit a fire as they heard the women singing and dancing. The women were welcomed and given mangari (food). A big ceremony was then held at Winpurpurla. This is an important place to meet and also a good place to collect different kinds of seeds including lukarrari which is grounded to make damper, as well as kumpupatja (bush tomato) and karnti (bush potato). There are also soakwaters at Winpurpula, where you dig for water underground. Imelda shares, “Before you drink it, you have to talk to the spirit, to say thank you, to make respect, then you wet your head and your body and then you can drink that water. They knew how to find water. I look at that travelling now, look at a map and think about the distance. How could they travel so long and know where the water is? They told stories so they knew. Palya. Nymor.”
Imelda (Yukenbarri) Gugaman at the back of the Art Centre with her Painting (138-16) Source: Š Photo Courtesy of Warlayirti Artists (Balgo)
Imelda (YUKENBARRI) GUGAMAN Winpurpurla Acrylic on Linen 150 x 100cm 376/15
Imelda (Yukenbarri) Gugaman is the first child born to Lucy Yukenbarri and Helicopter Tjungurrayi. Imelda would sit with her mother, learning about her stories and learning to paint. In this painting, Imelda has depicted her mother’s country south of Balgo, in the Great Sandy Desert. This country is named Winpurpurla, after a tjurnu (soakwater). Winpurpurla is an inta (living water) place so it always has good water. Women travel to Winpurpurla to collect a variety of seeds including lukarrari which is grounded to make damper, as well as kumpupatja (bush tomato) and karnti (bush potato).
Imelda (Yukenbarri) Gugaman Working on New Painting (376-
Source: Š Photos Courtesy of Warlayirti Artists (Balgo) & Gemma Galova
-15)
Imelda (YUKENBARRI) GUGAMAN Winpurpurla Acrylic on Linen 150 x 75cm 523/15
Imelda (Yukenbarri) Gugaman is the first child born to Lucy Yukenbarri and Helicopter Tjungurrayi. Imelda would sit with her mother, learning about her stories and learning to paint. In this painting, Imelda has depicted her mother’s country south of Balgo, in the Great Sandy Desert. This country is named Winpurpurla, after a tjurnu (soakwater). Winpurpurla is an inta (living water) place so it always has good water. Women travel to Winpurpurla to collect a variety of seeds including lukarrari which is grounded to make damper, as well as kumpupatja (bush tomato) and karnti (bush potato).
Imelda (YUKENBARRI) GUGAMAN Winpurpurla Acrylic on Linen 120 x 80cm 103-16
Imelda (Yukenbarri) Gugaman is the first child born to Lucy Yukenbarri and Helicopter Tjungurrayi. Imelda would sit with her mother, learning about her stories and learning to paint. In this painting, Imelda has depicted her mother’s country south of Balgo, in the Great Sandy Desert. This country is named Winpurpurla, after a tjurnu (soakwater). Winpurpurla is an inta (living water) place so it always has good water. Women travel to Winpurpurla to collect a variety of seeds including lukarrari which is grounded to make damper, as well as kumpupatja (bush tomato) and karnti (bush potato).
Imelda (YUKENBARRI) GUGAMAN Winpurpurla Acrylic on Linen 120 x 80cm 01-16
Imelda (Yukenbarri) Gugaman is the first child born to Lucy Yukenbarri and Helicopter Tjungurrayi. Imelda would sit with her mother, learning about her stories and learning to paint. In this painting, Imelda has depicted her mother’s country south of Balgo, in the Great Sandy Desert. This country is named Winpurpurla, after a tjurnu (soakwater). Winpurpurla is an inta (living water) place so it always has good water. Women travel to Winpurpurla to collect a variety of seeds including lukarrari which is grounded to make damper, as well as kumpupatja (bush tomato) and karnti (bush potato).
Imelda (YUKENBARRI) GUGAMAN Winpurpurla Acrylic on Linen 120 x 80cm 160/14
Imelda (Yukenbarri) Gugaman is the first child born to Lucy Yukenbarri and Helicopter Tjungurrayi. Imelda would sit with her mother, learning about her stories and learning to paint. In this painting, Imelda has depicted her mother’s country south of Balgo, in the Great Sandy Desert. This country is named Winpurpurla, after a tjurnu (soakwater). Winpurpurla is an inta (living water) place so it always has good water. Women travel to Winpurpurla to collect a variety of seeds including lukarrari which is grounded to make damper, as well as kumpupatja (bush tomato) and karnti (bush potato).
Imelda (YUKENBARRI) GUGAMAN Winpurpurla Acrylic on Canvas 120 x 60cm 255/14
Imelda (Yukenbarri) Gugaman is the first child born to Lucy Yukenbarri and Helicopter Tjungurrayi. Imelda would sit with her mother, learning about her stories and learning to paint. In this painting, Imelda has depicted her mother’s country south of Balgo, in the Great Sandy Desert. This country is named Winpurpurla, after a tjurnu (soakwater). Winpurpurla is an inta (living water) place so it always has good water. Women travel to Winpurpurla to collect a variety of seeds including lukarrari which is grounded to make damper, as well as kumpupatja (bush tomato) and karnti (bush potato).
Imelda (YUKENBARRI) GUGAMAN Winpurpurla Acrylic on Linen 80 x 80cm 50/15
Imelda (Yukenbarri) Gugaman is the first child born to Lucy Yukenbarri and Helicopter Tjungurrayi. Imelda would sit with her mother, learning about her stories and learning to paint. In this painting, Imelda has depicted her mother’s country south of Balgo, in the Great Sandy Desert. This country is named Winpurpurla, after a tjurnu (soakwater). Winpurpurla is an inta (living water) place so it always has good water. Women travel to Winpurpurla to collect a variety of seeds including lukarrari which is grounded to make damper, as well as kumpupatja (bush tomato) and karnti (bush potato).
Theresa Nowee with her Painting (518-16) with a View into the Pound looking South of Balgo Source: © Photo Courtesy of Warlayirti Artists (Balgo)
Theresa NOWEE Birth Date Place of Birth Language Skin/Clan
1971 Derby Kukatja & Pintupi Napaltjarri
Theresa Nowee was born at Derby and she is the third daughter of the late Brandy Tjungurrayi (c. 1930 – 2012) and Nowee Nangala. Her father was a senior law man and recognised artist, highly respected as a custodian of important men’s ceremonies. Following her parents’ footsteps, she began painting in 2001. She comes from a family of fine artists; she is related to recognised senior artists Patick Olodoodi, Elizabeth Nyumi and Helicopter Tjungurrayi. In addition, her sisters Ann, Geraldine and Madeline are all competent painters in their own right. Drawing inspiration from Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) stories passed on to her by her parents, she is a dedicated painted and has since developed a distinct painting style of layered fine dots. Her paintings have an intense almost cosmic-quality as if the landscape were a mirror of the skies. Theresa paints frequently with her sisters at home and in the artist studio. Painting allows her to share her stories and culture with different people, which she truly enjoys. Coming from a remote community like Balgo, Theresa does not like to travel far and is very happy for her older sister, Ann, to travel and talk about their art, culture and country.
Collections Bertrand Estrangin Collection, Brussels, Belgium. The Laverty Collection, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Selected Group Exhibitions 2016 Imelda and Family - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. Songlines – NAIDOC 2016 - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore (at Australian High Commission). Women of the Desert – Warlayirti Women Aboriginal Signature Gallery, Brussels, Belgium. 2015 Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Art Paris Art Fair, Paris, France (Represented by Suzanne O’Connell Gallery). Warlayirti Artists – Art from Balgo - Art Atrium Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2014 Warlayirti: The Art of Balgo - RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC & Araluen Art Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Balgo 2014 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Balgo: Past & Present - Cooee Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Affordable Art Fair Singapore, Singapore (Represented by ReDot Fine Art Gallery). 2013 Convergence – Two Worlds - Short St Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Seoul Open Arts Fair, Seoul, Korea (Represented by Warlayirti Artists & Desart). Balgo 2013 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Affordable Art Fair Singapore, Singapore (Represented by ReDot Fine Art Gallery). 2012 WaterMark – The Signature of Life - International Development for Australian Indigenous Art (IDAIA), Hong Kong (Toured to Singapore in 2014). Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Pro Community – Warlayirti Artists - ARTKELCH, Freiburg, Germany (Touring Exhibition in Germany). Balgo 2012 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Urban & Terrain – Mercedes-Benz Showroom Collection (Part 1) - ReDot Fine Art Gallery (at Mercedes-Benz Center), Singapore. 2011 Balgo 2011 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
2011 BALGO – 2011 - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. 2010 Balgo Prints - Northern Editions, Darwin, NT, Australia. “Ingalimpa Tjuntu” – Singing Songs (We sing the country and that’s how we find the way) - Audi Forum Building, Tokyo, Japan (Represented by Warlayirti Artists & ReDot Fine Art Gallery). Kinti kinti, Purrka purrka – The Balgo Way - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. American Club Survey Show 2010 - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore (at American Club). Balgo 2010 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2009 Yukan – New Moon - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Balgo 2009 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2008 Balgo 2008 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. The Power of Observation – Emerging Artists Exhibition - Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. From Wirrimanu - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. 2007 Balgo – New etchings and glass by Warlayirti artists - Northern Editions, Darwin, NT, Australia. Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Balgo 2007 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2006 Survey Exhibition - Scott Livesey Galleries, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Balgo 2006 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2005 Balgo 2005 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Glass from the Sand Country - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2004 Balgo 4-04 - Warlayirti Artists, Balgo, WA, Australia. The Next Generation: Balgo & Warmun - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2003 Eight by Three - Scott Livesey Galleries, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2002 Kutjungka, Passing it On: Works from Balgo Hills - Coomalie Cultural Centre, Batchelor, NT, Australia.
Theresa NOWEE Tjurnu Acrylic on Linen 150 x 100cm 604/09
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Theresa Nowee comes from a lineage of fine painters. This is a story of her mother’s country located near Wirrimanu (Balgo). Reflecting the landscape, Theresa depicts Tjurnu, a sacred rockhole surrounded by features of the land including spinifex grasses and desert trees. This country also nurtures readily found bush tucker such as pura (bush tomatoes), kantijilyi (raisins) and delicious blackberries.
Theresa NOWEE Tjurnu Acrylic on Linen 150 x 100cm 198/10
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Theresa Nowee comes from a lineage of fine painters. This is a story of her mother’s country located near Wirrimanu (Balgo). Reflecting the landscape, Theresa depicts Tjurnu, a sacred rockhole surrounded by features of the land including spinifex grasses and desert trees. This country also nurtures readily found bush tucker such as pura (bush tomatoes), kantijilyi (raisins) and delicious blackberries.
Theresa NOWEE Tjurnu Acrylic on Linen 150 x 100cm 139-16
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Theresa Nowee comes from a lineage of fine painters. This is a story of her mother’s country located near Wirrimanu (Balgo). Reflecting the landscape, Theresa depicts Tjurnu, a sacred rockhole surrounded by features of the land including spinifex grasses and desert trees. This country also nurtures readily found bush tucker such as pura (bush tomatoes), kantijilyi (raisins) and delicious blackberries.
Theresa NOWEE Tjurnu Acrylic on Linen 120 x 80cm 489/09
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Theresa Nowee comes from a lineage of fine painters. This is a story of her mother’s country located near Wirrimanu (Balgo). Reflecting the landscape, Theresa depicts Tjurnu, a sacred rockhole surrounded by features of the land including spinifex grasses and desert trees. This country also nurtures readily found bush tucker such as pura (bush tomatoes), kantijilyi (raisins) and delicious blackberries.
Theresa NOWEE Puntujalpa Acrylic on Linen 120 x 80cm 1284/08
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Theresa Nowee comes from a lineage of fine painters. In this painting, she has depicted her father’s country which is centred around Puntujalpa (Jupiter Well). The site is called Yarki and is located near the community of Kiwirrkura. The painting shows the different features of the country including tali (sandhills), spinifex grasses, desert trees, pura (bush tomatoes) and kantijilyi (raisins). The central circle is a warniri (rockhole).
Theresa NOWEE Tjurnu Acrylic on Linen 120 x 80cm 354/15
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Theresa Nowee comes from a lineage of fine painters. This is a story of her mother’s country located near Wirrimanu (Balgo). Reflecting the landscape, Theresa depicts Tjurnu, a sacred rockhole surrounded by features of the land including spinifex grasses and desert trees. This country also nurtures readily found bush tucker such as pura (bush tomatoes), kantijilyi (raisins) and delicious blackberries.
Theresa NOWEE Tjurnu Acrylic on Linen 120 x 60cm 21-16
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Theresa Nowee comes from a lineage of fine painters. This is a story of her mother’s country located near Wirrimanu (Balgo). Reflecting the landscape, Theresa depicts Tjurnu, a sacred rockhole surrounded by features of the land including spinifex grasses and desert trees. This country also nurtures readily found bush tucker such as pura (bush tomatoes), kantijilyi (raisins) and delicious blackberries.
Theresa NOWEE Tjurnu Acrylic on Linen 120 x 60cm 299/15
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Theresa Nowee comes from a lineage of fine painters. This is a story of her mother’s country located near Wirrimanu (Balgo). Reflecting the landscape, Theresa depicts Tjurnu, a sacred rockhole surrounded by features of the land including spinifex grasses and desert trees. This country also nurtures readily found bush tucker such as pura (bush tomatoes), kantijilyi (raisins) and delicious blackberries.
Theresa NOWEE Tjurnu Acrylic on Linen 100 x 50cm 356/15
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Theresa Nowee comes from a lineage of fine painters. This is a story of her mother’s country located near Wirrimanu (Balgo). Reflecting the landscape, Theresa depicts Tjurnu, a sacred rockhole surrounded by features of the land including spinifex grasses and desert trees. This country also nurtures readily found bush tucker such as pura (bush tomatoes), kantijilyi (raisins) and delicious blackberries.
Theresa NOWEE Tjurnu Acrylic on Canvas 90 x 50cm 518-15
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Theresa Nowee comes from a lineage of fine painters. This is a story of her mother’s country located near Wirrimanu (Balgo). Reflecting the landscape, Theresa depicts Tjurnu, a sacred rockhole surrounded by features of the land including spinifex grasses and desert trees. This country also nurtures readily found bush tucker such as pura (bush tomatoes), kantijilyi (raisins) and delicious blackberries.
Theresa NOWEE Tjurnu Acrylic on Canvas 90 x 30cm 15-16
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Theresa Nowee comes from a lineage of fine painters. This is a story of her mother’s country located near Wirrimanu (Balgo). Reflecting the landscape, Theresa depicts Tjurnu, a sacred rockhole surrounded by features of the land including spinifex grasses and desert trees. This country also nurtures readily found bush tucker such as pura (bush tomatoes), kantijilyi (raisins) and delicious blackberries.
Theresa NOWEE Yarki Acrylic on Canvas 80 x 30cm 895/08
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Theresa Nowee comes from a lineage of fine painters. In this painting, she has depicted her father’s country which is centred around Puntujalpa (Jupiter Well). The site is called Yarki and is located near the community of Kiwirrkura. The painting shows the different features of the country including tali (sandhills), spinifex grasses, desert trees, pura (bush tomatoes) and kantijilyi (raisins). The central circle is a warniri (rockhole).
Theresa NOWEE Tjurnu Acrylic on Linen 80 x 30cm 10-16
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Theresa Nowee comes from a lineage of fine painters. This is a story of her mother’s country located near Wirrimanu (Balgo). Reflecting the landscape, Theresa depicts Tjurnu, a sacred rockhole surrounded by features of the land including spinifex grasses and desert trees. This country also nurtures readily found bush tucker such as pura (bush tomatoes), kantijilyi (raisins) and delicious blackberries.
Theresa NOWEE Tjurnu Acrylic on Canvas 80 x 30cm 95-16
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Theresa Nowee comes from a lineage of fine painters. This is a story of her mother’s country located near Wirrimanu (Balgo). Reflecting the landscape, Theresa depicts Tjurnu, a sacred rockhole surrounded by features of the land including spinifex grasses and desert trees. This country also nurtures readily found bush tucker such as pura (bush tomatoes), kantijilyi (raisins) and delicious blackberries.
Theresa NOWEE Tjurnu Acrylic on Canvas 80 x 30cm 99-16
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Theresa Nowee comes from a lineage of fine painters. This is a story of her mother’s country located near Wirrimanu (Balgo). Reflecting the landscape, Theresa depicts Tjurnu, a sacred rockhole surrounded by features of the land including spinifex grasses and desert trees. This country also nurtures readily found bush tucker such as pura (bush tomatoes), kantijilyi (raisins) and delicious blackberries.
Ann (Frances) NOWEE (NANGURI) Birth Date Place of Birth Language Skin/Clan
1964 Tjalyuwang Kukatja Napaltjarri
Ann (Frances) Nowee (Nanguri) was born at Tjalyuwang, a remote mission site established before the Catholic mission at old Balgo. She is the eldest daughter of the late Brandy Tjungurrayi (c. 1930 – 2012) and Nowee Nangala. Her father was a senior law man and recognised artist, highly respected as a custodian of important men’s ceremonies. Ann went to the local school at Balgo Hills and then attended high school in Broome. Her family moved between Balgo and Christmas Creek before moving to Kiwirrkurra in 1996, where they stayed until the community was flooded and evacuated in 2001. Under her father’s encouragement and guidance, Ann started painting in the mid1990s, drawing inspiration from Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) stories passed on to her by her parents. She comes from a family of fine artists; she is related to recognised senior artists Patick Olodoodi, Elizabeth Nyumi and Helicopter Tjungurrayi. In addition, her sisters Ann, Geralding and Madeline are all competent painters in their own right. Today, Ann lives in Balgo with two sons, and is an active member of the community. She has also been an active member of the Warlayirti Artists Board for many years.
Selected Group Exhibitions 2016 Imelda and Family - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. Songlines – NAIDOC 2016 - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore (at Australian High Commission). Women of the Desert – Warlayirti Women - Aboriginal Signature Gallery, Brussels, Belgium. 2015 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Warlayirti Artists – Art of Balgo - Art Atrium Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2014 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Balgo: Past & Present - Cooee Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2013 Convergence - Short St Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Balgo 2013 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2012 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2010 Balgo Prints - Northern Editions, Darwin, NT, Australia. 2008 Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. The Power of Observation – Emerging Artists Exhibition - Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. From Wirrimanu - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. 2006 Balgo Recent Works - Short St Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia 2004 Balgo 4-04 - Warlayirti Artists, Balgo, WA, Australia. 2002 Big Colour, My Country - Thornquest Gallery, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia. 2001 Short on Size - Short St Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia
Ann (Frances) NOWEE (NANGURI) Mungari Acrylic on Canvas 150 x 99cm 142-16
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Ann (Frances) Nowee (Nanguri) comes from a lineage of fine painters. She illustrates various mungari (food) found in her father’s country, Nyinmi. This country is located near the Gibson Desert, a long journey from her current home in Balgo. Divided by the numerous lines of colour that references the tali (sandhills), Ann depicts bora (bush potato) within the yellow circles, mangart (quandong) within the red with cream dotted circles and kumpurt (bush raisins) as the orange ones. All the different foods are set against an array of various bush tucker seeds that are found throughout the desert.
Ann (Frances) Nowee (Nanguri) with her Painting (142-16) with a View of the Pound Looking South of Balgo Source: © Photo Courtesy of Warlayirti Artists (Balgo)
Ann (Frances) NOWEE (NANGURI) Nynmi Acrylic on Linen 150 x 75cm 201/15
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Ann (Frances) Nowee (Nanguri) comes from a lineage of fine painters. In this painting, she has depicted her mother’s country, Nynmi, on the Canning Stock Route in the Great Sandy Desert. The country is centred around Minyilpa warniri (rockhole) and the central circle indicates Minyilpa. Ann’s mother would walk between these places collecting seeds and hunting for bush tucker.
Ann (Frances) NOWEE (NANGURI) Mungari Acrylic on Canvas 100 x 50cm 350/15
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Ann (Frances) Nowee (Nanguri) comes from a lineage of fine painters. She illustrates various mungari (food) found in her father’s country, Nyinmi. This country is located near the Gibson Desert, a long journey from her current home in Balgo. Divided by the numerous lines of colour that references the tali (sandhills), Ann depicts bora (bush potato), mangart (quandong) kumpurt (bush raisins). All the different foods are set against an array of various bush tucker seeds that are found throughout the desert.
Ann (Frances) NOWEE (NANGURI) Nynmi Acrylic on Canvas 80 x 30cm 410/15
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Ann (Frances) Nowee (Nanguri) comes from a lineage of fine painters. In this painting, she has depicted her mother’s country, Nynmi, on the Canning Stock Route in the Great Sandy Desert. The country is centred around Minyilpa warniri (rockhole) and the central circle indicates Minyilpa. Ann’s mother would walk between these places collecting seeds and hunting for bush tucker.
Ann (Frances) NOWEE (NANGURI) Minyilpa Acrylic on Canvas 40 x 30cm 887/08
Ann (Frances) Nowee (Nanguri) is the daughter of Brandy Tjungurrayi. In this painting, she has depicted her mother’s country, Nynmi, on the Canning Stock Route in the Great Sandy Desert. The country is centred around Minyilpa warniri (rockhole) and the central circle indicates Minyilpa. Ann’s mother would walk between these places collecting seeds and hunting for bush tucker.
Geraldine Nowee Holding her Painting (320-15) with a View Looking South from Balgo Source: Š Photo Courtesy of Warlayirti Artists (Balgo)
Geraldine NOWEE Birth Date Place of Birth Language Skin/Clan
1977 Derby Kukatja & Pintupi Napaltjarri
Geraldine Nowee was born at Derby and she is the youngest daughter of the late Brandy Tjungurrayi (c. 1930 – 2012) and Nowee Nangala. Her father was a senior law man and recognised artist, highly respected as a custodian of important men’s ceremonies. Following her parents’ footsteps, she began painting in 2002. She comes from a family of fine artists; she is related to recognised senior artists Patick Olodoodi, Elizabeth Nyumi and Helicopter Tjungurrayi. In addition, her sisters Theresa, Ann and Madeline are all competent painters in their own right. Her daughter, Serena, also paints, as did her late husband. Drawing inspiration from Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) stories passed on to her by her parents, she is a powerful young painter whose work has grown from strength to strength. The various flowers, seeds and bush tucker across the tali (sand dunes) that are depicted in her work dominate the desert region at different times of the year. Aside of her role as an artist, Geraldine has been an arts worker at Warlayirti Artists since 2013.
Collections Artbank Collection, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Selected Group Exhibitions 2016 Imelda and Family - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. Women of the Desert – Warlayirti Women Aboriginal Signature Gallery, Brussels, Belgium. 2015 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Warlayirti Artists – Art from Balgo - Art Atrium Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2014 Warlayirti: The Art of Balgo - RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC & Araluen Art Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Balgo 2014 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Balgo: Past & Present - Cooee Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2013 Convergence – Two Worlds - Short St Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Balgo 2013 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2012 WaterMark – The Signature of Life - International Development for Australian Indigenous Art (IDAIA), Hong Kong (Toured to Singapore in 2014). Revealed, Emerging Artists from WA Aboriginal Art Centers, Perth Gestuelles – The Art of Transmission by Aboriginal Desert Women - International Development for Australian Indigenous Art (IDAIA), Brisbane, QLD, Australia (Touring Exhibition in Australia). Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Wangkartu, Winpurpurla – Soakwaters Continuing Through Time - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Balgo 2012 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Pro Community – Warlayirti Artists - ARTKELCH, Freiburg, Germany (Touring Exhibition in Germany). 2011 Balgo – 2011 - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Balgo 2011 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
2010 Kinti kinti, Purrka purrka – The Balgo Way - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. “Ingalimpa Tjuntu” – Singing Songs (We sing the country and that’s how we find the way) - Audi Forum Building, Tokyo, Japan (Represented by Warlayirti Artists & ReDot Fine Art Gallery). Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2009 Yukan – New Moon - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Lamparrta, Tjanu, Nyarni - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Balgo 2009 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2008 Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. The Power of Observation – Emerging Artists Exhibition - Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. From Wirrimanu - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Balgo 2008 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Warlayirti Artists – Work from the Australian Desert - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. Balgo 2008 - Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. The Power of Observation – Emerging Artists Exhibition - Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Revealed - Emerging Artists from WA Aboriginal Art Centers - Gallery Central, Perth, WA, Australia. 2 x 2 Sisters, All One Family - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2007 Survey Exhibition - Tony Bond Gallery, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Group Exhibition - Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs, NT, Australia Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2006 Warlayirti Artists – Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia.
Geraldine NOWEE Minyilpa Acrylic on Linen 100 x 50cm 320/15
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Geraldine Nowee comes from a lineage of fine painters. She has painted Minyilpa, part of her mother’s country south of Balgo, along the Canning Stock Route. The central circle represents tjurnu (soakwater) named Minyilpa. The small dots are pura (bush tomato) and seeds collected for making damper.
Madeline Nowee with her Painting (123-16) Source: Š Photo Courtesy of Warlayirti Artists (Balgo)
Madeline NOWEE Birth Date Place of Birth Language Skin/Clan
1968 Derby Kukatja Napaltjarri
Madeline Nowee was born at Derby and she is the second daughter of the late Brandy Tjungurrayi (c. 1930 – 2012) and Nowee Nangala. Her father was a senior law man and recognised artist, highly respected as a custodian of important men’s ceremonies. Like Ann, Madeline went to the local school at Balgo Hills and then attended high school in Broome. Her family moved between Balgo and Christmas Creek before moving to Kiwirrkurra in 1996, where they stayed until the community was flooded and evacuated in 2001. Madeline comes from a family of fine artists; she is related to recognised senior artists Patick Olodoodi, Elizabeth Nyumi and Helicopter Tjungurrayi. In addition, her sisters Ann, Geraldine and Theresa are all competent painters in their own right. Madeline paints the Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) stories passed on to her by her parents. Today, she lives in Balgo with her husband and their extended family.
Selected Group Exhibitions 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
Imelda and Family - ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Warlayirti Artists – Art from Balgo - Art Atrium Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Balgo: Past & Present - Cooee Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Convergence – Two Worlds - Short St Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin, NT, Australia.
Madeline NOWEE Yarki Acrylic on Canvas 100 x 50cm 123-16
Born to artist Brandy Tjungurrayi and Nowee Nangala, Madeline Nowee comes from a lineage of fine painters. In this painting, she has depicted her father’s country which is centred around Puntujalpa (Jupiter Well). The site is called Yarki and is located near the community of Kiwirrkura. The painting shows the different features of the country including tali (sandhills), spinifex, desert trees, pura (bush tomatoes) and kantijilyi (raisins). The central circle is a warniri (rockhole).
Spinifex Grasses Across the Balgo Pound Source: © Photo Courtesy of Warlayirti Artists (Balgo)
In collaboration with
and with special thanks to Imelda, Theresa, Ann, Madeline & Geraldine
Warlayirti Artists with their Collaborative Painting (137-16). From left: Imelda, Madeline, Ann, Theresa, Geraldine Source: Š Photo Courtesy of Warlayirti Artists (Balgo)
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