Tjukurrpa Purlkana

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REDOT FINE ART GALLERY in collaboration with Warakurna and Kayili Artists presents

Tjukurrpa Purlkana A Collection of Warakurna and Kayili Indigenous Art

28 Feb – 14 Mar 2018

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For a high resolution, downloadable, PDF version of this catalogue, with pricing, please send us an email to info@redotgallery.com Thank you.

c o n t e m p o r a r y

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Introduction The ReDot Fine Art Gallery is extremely honoured to announce the first ever collaboration with two of the central deserts more boutique community art centres, whom recently merged their resources to better service their respective communities. Warakurna Arts and Kayili Arts had for many years now been know for their desirable and somewhat “quirky� contemporary art pieces and now the talented Jane Menzies works tirelessly to service both communities and all the artists either directly through the art centres at Warakurna or via weekly outreach programs in Kayili. Tjukurrpa Purlkana, which loosely translated means big, strong, rich, is a fitting title for a show which represent so many different stories and places from Wanarn and Karilywara (Patjarr) to Wilpina (Lake Baker). This small but very exciting body of work, comprising of 20 works in total, is not only important for the much-needed independence it offers the community members via the sale of their work, but also for allowing culture to remain strong and healthy, giving the


elderly members of the Wanarn Aged Care facility an opportunity to remain active and integral to their respective communities. Old age is an endemic issue in communities and keeping elderly Indigenous people active and connected to their people, after having lived very nomadic lives for most of their lives, is critical to the survival of culture and ultimate community life. These works, by predominately very old artists are not only a joy to behold but they also allow dignity and expression to people that would perhaps otherwise be forgotten and ignored as the modern world start to slow creep towards the central parts of Australia. The abandonment in the works in some instances is a joy to behold, almost child like in its execution. As Picasso said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” This doesn’t seem to be an issue in these communities, with the works showing an almost full circle approach to both life and the very essence and simplicity of painting. No restriction in colour palette, the blending of so many colours and the just pure enjoyment of expressing one’s culture, perhaps for one last time. So, I am sure you will agree, the title big, strong and rich is fitting for this small “dynamite” body of works. The exhibition begins on Wednesday 28th February and runs until Wednesday 14th March 2018.

Giorgio Pilla Director ReDot Fine Art Gallery

Warakurna Works Drying on the Troopee Source: © Jane Menzies, Courtesy Warakurna Artists


Foreword - Tjukurrpa Purlkana Warakurna Artists presents works from its dynamic Wanarn and Patjarr Painting Therapy and Outreach programs. Warakurna Artists are recognised internationally for their innovative and unique interpretations of important Tjukurrpa. The Wanarn Painting Therapy Program run once a week out of Wanarn Community, located 100 kilometres west of Warakurna, provides ageing residents an opportunity to connect to, and pass on important stories. Artworks from Wanarn Painters Pulpurru Davies, Manupa Butler and Neville McArthur reveal the urgency and potency of these stories as the artists remember their country and the sacred Tjukurrpa it is governed by. Similarly, Patjarr artist Nola Campbell’s luscious and wild interpretations of home emphasise the power and the immediacy of


these sacred places as they are called up from the mind’s eye. These places aren’t just a memory, they inhabit a place in their being. Warakurna Artists has a long history of artistic expression, working with artists in the communities of Warakurna and Wanarn since 2005, and with the Kayili Artists of Patjarr, since merging in 2015. Based in Warakurna, the art centre is fully owned and governed by Aboriginal people and provides services to artists living in and visiting Warakurna, a weekly painting therapy program at Wanarn Aged Care and a successful outreach program to the artists of Patjarr (Kayili Artists). Warakurna Artists is an energetic, creative, and happy place, where men and women, young and old, paint and share Tjukurrpa (traditional law and culture) and contemporary stories. Passing on these important stories to young people is a critical means of keeping culture vital and strong. The Art Centre plays an important role in the community, providing cultural and social benefits in addition to economic returns. Warakurna Artists facilitates the production, distribution, and sale of the artists’ artworks. The paintings are vibrant and diverse, reflecting each artist’s unique style, stories and connection to country. All paintings are catalogued, with each record containing a photograph of the work, the story it conveys and associated information about the artist. The paintings are available for sale through reputable galleries and directly from Warakurna Artists website and all proceeds are returned to the artists and their organisation.

Jane Menzies Manager, Warakurna Artists

Left Page: Warakurna Works in Progress Source: © Emilia Galatis, Courtesy Warakurna Artists


Nola Yurnangurnu CAMPBELL Birth Date Language Skin/Clan

1948 Ngaanyatjarra, Manyjilyjarra Napaltjarri

Nola Campbell was born out bush on the other side of Tatjarr (close to Patjarr in the late 1940s. She grew up travelling in the Country between Kiwirrkurra and Kunawarritji. She is related to Charlie Wallabi (Walapayi) Tjungurrayi and Nangkatji Josephine Nangala, whom she called father and mother, and Kumpaya Girgaba, her aunt. Nola lost her parents when she was young and was brought up by Norma Giles’ (nee Carnegie) mother and father, Mankatji Carnegie and Mr Carnegie. Nola was taken to Warburton as a young woman and there she married her first husband, Mr Butler. She moved to Wiluna and later Patjarr, where she later married artist Coiley Campbell. Nola has been the subject of an Indigenous Community Stories produced film, titled Nola’s Story. The film aired during the 2016 Fremantle Art Centre Revealed Program in conjunction with the Maritime Museum and Indigenous Community Stories. From Nola: “I remember when I was a little girl, walking to collect water from Tika Tika and taking it back to my family. I remember when Ian Dunlop came out in the 1960s to take photos and film, and I remember my first ‘acting’ job. I remember walking around with family, hunting tirnka (sand goanna), linga (lizards) and lungkarta (blue tongue lizard). I also remember working with Norma Giles, Pirnkanku Carnegie, Mankatji Carnegie, Aubrey Carnegie, Neil Carnegie, Bruce Carnegie and Yeri Carnegie at Patantja (a lake, far from Patjarr). I was a young girl at the time, and I went and got the water, like we did in the early days. I also remember when I was a little girl, staying at Patantja, it was my uncle’s place, my father’s place and all the Brody, Ward and Morgan families. A helicopter would come and drop food off and then leave again. It was a big lake and you could see out a really long way. When I was a bit older, I went to Warburton for school. I’d stay at the creek, Wirrkili creek, go to school at the mission and then come back to our camp spot by the creek. Sometimes we’d go back to Patjarr, and then one time Mr McDougall found us and took us back to


Warburton, when they were testing missiles at Woomera. I stayed there a little while, then I got married and went off to Wiluna. I had my baby close by in Meekatharra. Then I came along back here to Patjarr. I have one son and that’s enough for me. The stories I tell in my paintings are from my dreaming, which is yurranpa dreaming (honey tree), and from my husband’s dreaming, which is Yunpalara and Wirrwul. I paint my husband’s dreaming because he said I could and it keeps his dreaming alive and strong; it’s also my country. The yurranpa dreaming paintings I did when I painted in Warburton. One of my favourite paintings is one I did called Near the Canning Stock Route. I did this one for John Carty when he came out talking to us about the Canning Stock Route exhibition. I later went to the National Museum in Canberra with Norma Giles for that exhibition. I like being able to paint the country I grew up in, was born in, to keep it alive. It also makes me think about my mother and my family who used to walk this country long before me. The country I paint is their country too. It’s my husband’s, my nguntu (mother’s), ngayuku kaparli (my grandother’s) and ngayuku tjamu (my grandfather’s).”

Collections Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Lagerberg-Swift Collection, Perth, WA, Australia. The Luczo Collection, San Francisco, CA, USA. The Marshall Collection, Adelaide, SA, Australia. The Merenda Collection, Fremantle, WA, Australia.

Awards 2017 2017 2010 2007

Encouragement Award - Port Hedland Art Awards Finalist - Hadley’s Art Prize Finalist - 27th Telstra Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Award (NATSIAA) Finalist - 24th Telstra Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Award (NATSIAA)


Selected Group Exhibitions 2018 Welcome to Paradise: Interpretations of home from Warakurna Artists - Japingka Gallery, Perth, WA, Australia. 2017 Praxis Gallery, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Ngurra: Home in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands - South Australian Museum, SA, Australia. Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2016 Salon des Refuses – Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. 2015 Palya: Martumili Artists, Tjarlirli Art and Warakurna Artists of Western Australia Ngaanyatjarra Group show - Tandanya Exhibition, Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), Adelaide, SA, Australia. 2014 Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Boards from the Edge - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2013 Desert Boards - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2010 Canning Stock Route, National Gallery of Australia (NGA), Canberra, ACT, Australia. Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards - Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin, NT, Australia. 2009 Tjitirn-tjitirn Manta Kutu Kurukurra - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Kutipitjaku Purti-Bush Tripping - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. 2007 Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award, Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin, NT, Australia. Patjarr Painters: Kayili Art Centre - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Western Desert Mob, Kutju – One - Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia. Kayili Canvas (Collaborative) - Power & Beauty: Indigenous Art Now - Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Kayili Canvas (Collaborative) - Perth International Arts Festival - Lawrence & Wilson Gallery, Perth, WA, Australia. Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2006 Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Kayili Artists - New Works - William Mora Galleries, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2005 Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Rockhole to Rockhole Exhibition - Suzanne O Connell Gallery, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. 2004 Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia.




Nola Yurnangurnu CAMPBELL All of Patjarr Acrylic on Canvas 121.9 x 101.6cm 975-17

This painting is a representation of the three diverse and significant dreaming sites across Patjarr, in the Gibson Desert, referencing and paying homage to Nola’s experience of these sites as she walked between them as a young girl with her family. One of those special places is Mina Mina, a sacred site full of bird life and claypans. Another referenced in this painting is Tika Tika. The Tika Tika rockholes are south of Patjarr, and there are eight rockholes there. They were made by Ngirntaka the perenti goanna ancestor who travelled from the west to Warburton. He was digging around hunting for tirnka (sand goanna) for food. He found two tirnka to eat. He stopped one night and kept going in the morning. People were camping at Tika Tika before Patjarr community was developed. Nola lived there as a young girl and walked around with her uncles and aunties, hunting and learning. They often walked from Yalara rockholes to Tika Tika carrying water in a wooden dish called a kilpi. The third site is Yunpalara (Lake Blair), a large lake bed west of Patjarr. It is more often dry than not, relying on rainfall to fill it. After rain the lake is home to many water birds. The surface cracks as it dries. Ngirntaka (the perentie goanna) travelling from Well 33 on the Canning Stock Route came through this area and made Yunpalara on his way with a large sweep of his tail. This work is significant as it serves as documentation of three sacred sites in the vast landscape of the Gibson Desert, culturally rich and powerful places for the Patjarr people, immortalising and maintaining them in the living memory for many more years to come.



Nola Yurnangurnu CAMPBELL Tika Tika Acrylic on Canvas 152.4 x 76.2cm 956-17

Tika Tika rockholes are south of Patjarr, there are eight rockholes there. They were made by Ngirntaka, the perenti goanna ancestor who travelled from the west to Warburton. He was digging around hunting for tingka (sand gaonna) for food. He found two tingka to eat. He stopped one night and kept going in the morning. People were camping at Tika Tika before Patjarr community was developed. Nola lived there as a young girl and walked around with her uncles and aunties, hunting and learning. They often walked from Yalara rockholes to Tika Tika carrying water in a wooden dish called a kilpi.


Pulpurru DAVIES Birth Date Language

01/07/1927 Ngaanyatjarra

Pulpurru Davies was born near Yankaltjunku in the north east Gibson Desert where she lived a nomadic life until the 1960’s, when she was brought to Warburton Mission by patrol officers. She held several domestic jobs at the Mission until returning to Patjarr Community where she hunted and painted for a long time. Pulpurru lived at Wanarn for a number of years before moving to an aged care facility at Kalgoorlie where she now resides. Pulpurru’s way of life was documented in “People of The Australian Western Desert”, a documentary by anthropologist Ian Dunlop, produced by the Australian Commonwealth Film Unit. Pulpurru Davies is highly celebrated for her paintings and vast cultural knowledge.

Collections State Parliament of Western Australia - Aboriginal People’s Gallery, Perth, WA, Australia. Dr Ian Bernardt Collection, Australia. The Gavan Fox Collection, Adelaide, SA, Australia. The Kelton Foundation, Santa Monica, CA, USA. Lagerberg-Swift Collection, Perth, WA, Australia. Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin, NT, Australia. National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Public Art Commission 2002; Western Australian Museum, Perth, WA, Australia. Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), Brisbane, QLD, Australia. The Luczo Collection, San Francisco, CA, USA. The Marshall Collection, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Thomas Vroom Collection, Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Arthur Roe Collection, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Warburton Arts Collection, Kalgoorlie, WA, Australia. Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, Charlottesville, VA, USA.


Selected Group Exhibitions 2010 Ancient Stories & Magical Marks: The Warnan Painters - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. 2015 Painters of Place and Time - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2009 Colour & Country, Australian High Commission - Aratong Galleries, Singapore. Senior Kayili Artists 2009 - Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Kuluntjarra World Map, Collaboration with Jonathan Kimberley - Jan Manton Art, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Kutipitjaku Purti - Chapman Gallery, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Tjitirn-tjitirn Manta Kutu Kurukurra - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Old New World, Collaboration with Jonathan Kimberley - Bett Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania. 2008 Kayili Artists 2008 - Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2007 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards - Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin, NT, Australia. Patjarr Painters: Kayili Art Centre - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Western Desert Mob, Kutju – One - Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia. Kayili Artists 2007 - Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Kayili Canvas (Collaborative) - Perth International Arts Festival - Lawrence & Wilson Gallery, Perth, WA, Australia. Recent Works in Association with Kayili Artists Inc - William Mora Galleries, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Kayili Canvas (Collaborative) - Power & Beauty: Indigenous Art Now - Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2006 Kayili Artists - New Works - William Mora Galleries, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Kayili Survey Show - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Senior Kayili Artists - Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2005 Senior Artists from the Communities of Blackstone and Patjarr - Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Big Red Country - Goldfields Art Centre, Kalgoorlie, WA, Australia. Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2004 Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2001 Tjulyuru Regional Arts Gallery, Warburton, WA, Australia. Tjulyurungkutjalamartatji - on a journey - Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia.


2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1994 1993 1991 1990

Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection Gallery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA. Manguri Weaving- Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Goldfields Art Centre Gallery, Kalgoorlie, WA, Australia. Beyond Beyond - Accent Fine Art Gallery, Perth, WA, Australia. Ngayulu-latju Palyantja: We made these things - Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia. Tjulyuru Regional Arts Gallery, Warburton, WA, Australia. Ngayulu-latju Palyantja: We Made These Things - Goldfields Arts Centre Gallery, Kalgoorlie, WA, Australia. Ngayulu-latju Palyantja: We Made These Things, Djamu Gallery: Australian Museum at Customs House, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ngayulu-latju Palyantja: We made these things - Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ngayulu-latju Palyantja: We made these things - Australian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Warburton Glass Artists - Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Christmas Show - Artplace, Perth, WA, Australia. Groundwork - Fremantle Arts Centre, Perth, WA, Australia. Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Bowled Over - Savode Gallery, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, Museum and Art Gallery of Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin, NT, Australia. Tjukurrpa - Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia. Yarnangu Ngaanya - Our Land Our Body - Perth Institute of Contemporary Art and S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Yarnangu Ngaanya - Our Land Our Body - Goldfields Arts Board, The Attic, Kalgoorlie Miner Building, Kalgoorlie, WA, Australia. Minymalu Kanyirranytja - A Western Desert Women’s Aesthetic, Street Level Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia.




Pulpurru DAVIES Acrylic on Canvas 76.2 x 76.2cm 190-15



Pulpurru DAVIES Wanarn Tjilpi Acrylic on Canvas 101.6 x 50.8cm 396-16

Warakurna Artists works closely with Wanarn Aged Care Facility to conduct painting sessions with elderly patients. This program nurtures artists who have arguably contributed largely to one of the most significant art movements in Australia. The joyous communal activity has a myriad of positive benefits such as reliving boredom and frustration. Health staff report that this diversional therapy helps to reduce patient’s drug intake and the old people rejoice in sharing and passing on their important Tjukurrpa with their families who visit them when the workshops are conducted. Warakurna Artists is a positive and powerful example of Aboriginal businesses managed and governed by artists and community elders ensuring the wealth of talent and economic returns are retained in the community.


Tjapartji BATES Birth Date Deceased Place of Birth Language

30/06/1933 February 2016 Yinunmaru Ngaanyatjarra

Tjaparti Bates, also known as Kanytjuri, was born at Yinunmaru near Wanarn in the east Gibson desert, Western Australia. Her family walked the areas around Wanarn and Lake Christopher to the East.A Ngaanyatjarra language speaker, Tjapartji’s skin group is Karimarra. She moved to Warburton with her first husband during mission time but left when he passed away, travelling with her two children to the mission at Laverton. Tjapartji later returned to Warburton where she began to paint with the Warburton Arts project in the early 1990s and worked in various mediums including glass and felt until the late 1990’s when she relocated to Wanarn with her second husband. An outstanding painter, she produced 21 canvases for the Warburton Acrylic Collection, some of which were included in the Yarnangu Ngaanya: Our land Our Body exhibition at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art and S.H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney, 1993. In 1995, the artist began to work in the glass medium, producing a number of platters and then working on panels for inclusion in the Warburton Cultural Centre planned to open in 2001. In 1998 she was the winner of the Normandy Heritage Art Prize, the Fourth National Indigenous Art Award. The raised linear designs in the translucent surface of the slumped glass are in contrast to those of her canvases in which colour and doting are much to the fore Tjapartji began painting with Warakurna Artists in 2005 as part of the Wanarn Aged Care painting program. In her lifetime, she created stand-out paintings portraying important Ngaanyatjarra stories from her Mother’s and Father’s country around Wanarn and Warburton.


Collections National Museum of Australia (NMA), Canberra, ACT, Australia. National Gallery of Australia (NGA), Canberra, ACT, Australia. National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Harriett & Richard England Collection, Sydney, NSW, Australia. W. & V. McGeoch Collection, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. The Lepley Collection, Perth, WA, Australia. The Marshall Collection, Adelaide, SA, Australia. The Merenda Collection, Fremantle, WA, Australia Lagerberg-Swift Collection, Perth, WA, Australia.

Selected Group Exhibitions 2015 Painters of Place and Time - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2012 Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Purnu, Tjanpi and Canvas - Art from the Ngaanyatjarra Lands - Lawrence Wilson Gallery, University of Western Australia. Perth, WA, Australia. 2012 WaterMark, the Signature of Life - International Development of Australian Indigenous Art (IDAIA), The Space, Hong Kong. Warakurna and Wanarn - Group Show - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW Australia. 2011 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards - Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin, NT, Australia. Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Tradition and Modernity: Paintings from the deserts - International Development of Australian Indigenous Art (IDAIA), ININTI, Madrid, Spain. Warakurna Artists - Galerie Kungka and International Development of Australian Indigenous Art (IDAIA), Maison des Arts Plastiques RhĂ´ne-Alpes, Lyon, France; Maison des Arts Contemporains, PĂŠrouges, France. 2010 Warakurna Artists Group Exhibition - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Tjukurpa Pulkatjara - The Power of the Law - South Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Melbourne Art Fair, represented by Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Warakurna Artists Group Exhibition. Aboriginal and Pacific Art. Sydney, NSW, Australia. Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia.


2009 Warakurna Artists Group Exhibition - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Printingpa Ngaanya Yanku Kayili,Warakurna Artist’s paintings travelling North Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. 2008 Kaparli Tjamu Nintipungku – This is the deep knowledge our old people gave us Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Watilu Minymalu Kulira Watjarra Tjukurrpa Purlkanya- Mularrpa-Men and Women know and speak of their profound knowledge. Warakurna Artists Group Exhibition - Randell Lane Fine Art, Perth, WA, Australia. Warakurna Artists and Wanarn Aged Care Paintings - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2007 Kutju - One, Western Desert Mob Ngaanyatjarra Lands Regional Exhibition Lawrence Wilson Gallery, Perth, WA, Australia. Tjukurrpa Mularrpa Waylkumunu Pirni, Lots of Good True Stories - Randell Lane Fine Art Gallery, Perth, WA, Australia. Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Tjurkurtjalatju Palyarra - We are Painting Our Stories - Aboriginal & Pacific Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Palyaralatju Pirrtja Puru Tjanpi Tjarra Puli Yuliyala – We are making paintings and tjanpi in Puli Yuliya New paintings and weavings from Warakurna Artists and Tjanpi Desert Weavers - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2006 Rawa-latju Nintirringkulatjaku, Knowing is the Future, Warakurna Artists Group Exhibition - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Pukurlpatulatju Palyara Pirrtja ‘We are happy to make painting’ - Randell Lane Fine Art, Perth, WA, Australia. Tjukurrpa Tjarralatju Palyara Mularapa - We paint really strong stories. Warakurna Artists Group Exhibition - Aboriginal and Pacific Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2004 Colour Power, Aboriginal art post 1984, National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 1998 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards - Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin, NT, Australia.




Tjapartji BATES Pukurlpatulatju Palyara Pirrtja Acrylic on Canvas 101.6cm x 152.4cm 879-07

’Pukurlpatulatju Palyara Pirrtja’ we are happy to make painting.



Tjapartji BATES Kungkarangkalpa Acrylic on Canvas 76.2cm x 76.2cm 281-09

Tjapartji Bates was born at Warrijda rockhole in country called Yinunmaru. This painting depicts Tjaparti’s father’s place near Wanarn. Kungkarangkalpa Tjukurrpa (seven sisters dreaming) are travelling through beautiful tali (sandhills) country, camping at rockholes and collecting mirrka and kuka. They killed a tiwil and cooked and ate it. They then went to Kalalu and then went crawling along the creek and ended up in Wanarn.



Tjapartji BATES Kungkarangkalpa Acrylic on Canvas 50.8 x 50.8cm 565-09

Tjapartji Bates was born at Warrijda rockhole in country called Yinunmaru. This painting depicts Tjaparti’s father’s place near Wanarn. Kungkarangkalpa Tjukurrpa (seven sisters dreaming) are travelling through beautiful tali (sandhills) country, camping at rockholes and collecting mirrka and kuka. They killed a tiwil and cooked and ate it. They then went to Kalalu and then went crawling along the creek and ended up in Wanarn.



Tjapartji BATES Kungkarangkalpa Acrylic on Canvas 50.8 x 50.8cm 566-09

Tjapartji Bates was born at Warrijda rockhole in country called Yinunmaru. This painting depicts Tjaparti’s father’s place near Wanarn. Kungkarangkalpa Tjukurrpa (seven sisters dreaming) are travelling through beautiful tali (sandhills) country, camping at rockholes and collecting mirrka and kuka. They killed a tiwil and cooked and ate it. They then went to Kalalu and then went crawling along the creek and ended up in Wanarn.


Manupa BUTLER Birth Date 10/07/1935 Deceased 25/02/2018 Language Ngaanyatjarra

Manupa was born at Kunangurra near Patjarr Community in the Gibson Desert, WA. She came to Warburton in the 1960’s and spent several years there before returning to her home country. Manupa paints and hunts in the desert and tells stories to her children and grandchildren. Before she moved to Wanarn Aged Care, she divided her time between Patjarr and Warakurna. Now she paints for Warakurna Artists at Wanarn Aged Care as part of the weekly art therapy program they run.

Collections The Gavan Fox Collection, Adelaide, SA, Australia. The James McCourt Collection, Australia. Campbelltown Arts Centre, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia. Sammlung Alison & Peter W. Klein, Eberdingen-Nussdorf, Germany.

Selected Group Exhibitions 2016 Standing on Sacred Ground - Suzanne O’Connell Gallery, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Middle Distance - Hanging Valley, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Pro Community: Art of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands - Outstation Gallery, NT, Australia 2015 Painters of Place and Time - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Tandanya Exhibition - Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), Adelaide, SA, Australia. 2014 Desert Mob - Araluen Gallery, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Boards from the Edge - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2013 Desert Boards - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2009 Old New World, Collaboration with Jonathan Kimberley - Bett Gallery, Hobart, Tasmania. Kuluntjarra World Map, Collaboration with Jonathan Kimberley - Jan Manton Art, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Tjitirn-tjitirn Manta Kutu Kurukurra - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. 2007 Patjarr Painters: Kayili Art Centre - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia. Desert Mob - Araluen Gallery, Alice Springs, NT, Australia.


2007 2006 2005 2003 1996

Kutju - One, Western Desert Mob Ngaanyatjarra Lands Regional Exhibition Lawrence Wilson Gallery, Perth, WA, Australia. Kayili Artists - New Works - William Mora Galleries, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Big Red Country - Goldfields Art Centre, Kalgoorlie, WA, Australia. Senior Kayili Artists - Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Tjulyuru Regional Arts Gallery, Warburton, WA, Australia. Tjukurla Womens Centre, Fremantle Art Centre, Perth, WA, Australia.



Manupa BUTLER Mina Mina Acrylic on Canvas 101.6 x 76.2cm 965-15

Mina Mina is a waterhole close to the Patjarr Community. It is surrounded by a claypan which is a water catchment area rich in bird life and of cultural significance to Patjarr people.



Manupa BUTLER Mina Mina Acrylic on Canvas 101.6 x 76.2cm 861-15

Mina Mina is a waterhole close to the Patjarr Community. It is surrounded by a claypan which is a water catchment area rich in bird life and of cultural significance to Patjarr people.



Manupa BUTLER Mina Mina Acrylic on Canvas 76.2 x 101.6cm 950-15

Mina Mina is a waterhole close to the Patjarr Community. It is surrounded by a claypan which is a water catchment area rich in bird life and of cultural significance to Patjarr people.



Manupa BUTLER Tjakura Tjukurrpa Acrylic on Linen 101.6 x 50.8cm 04-269

Tjakura is in the tali (sandhill) country on the East side of Patjarr. Lunkarta (Blue Toung Lizard) and Tjakura (great desert skink) had a big fight there and killed each other. They are buried there under the sand. This country belongs to Manupa from her mother, father, uncles, aunties, grandmother and grandfather.



Manupa BUTLER Mina Mina Acrylic on Canvas 76.2 x 76.2cm 229-16

Mina Mina is a waterhole close to the Patjarr Community. It is surrounded by a claypan which is a water catchment area rich in bird life and of cultural significance to Patjarr people.



Manupa BUTLER Mina Mina Acrylic on Canvas 76.2 x 76.2cm 758-15

Mina Mina is a waterhole close to the Patjarr Community. It is surrounded by a claypan which is a water catchment area rich in bird life and of cultural significance to Patjarr pe ple.


Myra Yurtiwa COOKE Birth Date Deceased Language Skin/Clan

1932 February 2015 Ngaanyatjarra Purungu

Myra Yurtiwa Cooke was born at Kartjinguku Creek between Warakurna and Tjukurla in the east Gibson desert, Western Australia. As a child she travelled with her family through her Father’s country near Kulail, Tjukurla, Docker River and Warakurna. These places are recognised as the border of the Norther Territory and Western Australia. Her Mother remarried and the family began to move westward into her Step-father’s country near Wanarn and then to Warburton Mission. It was in Warburton that Myra met her husband. They soon left Warburton to travel her husband’s mother’s country near Mantamaru where her first son was born. Myra lived in Blackstone and Wanarn for many years. Myra worked with the Warburton Art Project before she began to paint with Warakurna Artists in mid-2005. She rapidly received acclaim as one of its senior artists. Myra Yurtiwa Cooke paints important Ngaanyatjarra stories from her ngurra (birthing place).

Collections National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Lagerberg-Swift Collection, Perth, WA, Australia. The Marshall Collection, Adelaide, SA, Australia. The Merenda Collection, Fremantle, WA, Australia.

Selected Group Exhibitions 2018 Welcome to Paradise: Interpretations of home from Warakurna Artists - Japingka Gallery, Perth, WA, Australia. 2015 Painters of Place and Time - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia.


2015 Palya: Martumili Artists, Tjarlirli Art and Warakurna Artists of Western Australia Ngaanyatjarra Group show - Tandanya Exhibition, Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), Adelaide, SA, Australia. Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Tunbridge Gallery, Perth, Australia 2013 Desert Boards – Warakurna, Wanarn & Kayili - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. The Wild Ones – Paintings from the Western Desert Mob and Spinifex Arts Project - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Wanarn – Ngaanyatjarra works on board - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2012 Purnu, Tjanpi and Canvas - Art from the Ngaanyatjarra Lands - Lawrence Wilson Gallery, University of Western Australia. Perth, WA, Australia. Warakurna and Wanarn - Group Show - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2011 Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Warakurna Artists - Galerie Kungka and International Development of Australian Indigenous Art (IDAIA), Maison des Arts Plastiques Rhône-Alpes, Lyon, France; Maison des Arts Contemporains, Pérouges, France 2010 Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Warakurna and Wanarn Artists Group Exhibition - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Melbourne Art Fair, represented by Aboriginal and Pacific Art, NSW, Australia. Tjukurpa Pulkatjara, The Power of the Law - South Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Warakurna Artists Group Exhibition - Short Street Gallery, Broome WA, Australia. New Prints: Western Desert Mob - Nomad Art, Darwin, NT, Australia. 2009 Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Warakurna Artists Group Exhibition - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2008 Watilu Minymalu Kulira Watjarra Tjukurrpa Purlkanya - Mularrpa-Men and Women know and speak of their profound knowledge, Warakurna Artists Group Exhibition - Randell Lane Fine Art, Perth, WA, Australia. Kaparli Tjamu Nintipungku – This is the deep knowledge our old people gave us Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Warakurna Artists and Wanarn Aged Care Paintings - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia.


2007 2006

Tjukurrpa Mularrpa Waylkumunu Pirni, Lots of Good True Stories - Randell Lane Fine Art Gallery, Perth, WA, Australia. Kutju, One, Western Desert Mob Ngaanyatjarra Lands Regional Exhibition Lawrence Wilson Gallery, Perth, WA, Australia. Power and Beauty – Indigenous Art Now - Heide Museum of Contemporay Art, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Tjurkurtjalatju Palyarra, We are Painting Our Stories - Aboriginal & Pacific Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Rawa-latju Nintirringkulatjaku, Knowing is the Future, Warakurna Artists Group Exhibition - Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Pukurlpatulatju Palyara Pirrtja, We are happy to make painting - Randell Lane Fine Art, Perth, WA, Australia. Tjukurrpa Tjarralatju Palyara Mularapa, We paint really strong stories. Warakurna Artists Group Exhibition - Aboriginal and Pacific Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia.




Myra Yurtiwa COOKE Lirrun Acrylic on Canvas 101.6 x 38.1cm 418-09

Myra Yurtiwa Cooke was born at a special place called Kartjinguku, a creek situated near Warakurna. This painting depicts a story from Myra’s mother’s country, Lirrun. A serpent snake man came from the South of Pukarra. The snake had been trying to steal a girl to become his wife. She called all the feather foot men and they chased him away to Pukarra. The blue marks in this painting show the featherfoot men chasing the serpant snake man through country. The young girl’s father was old, he had yelled at the young Lirru and all his teeth fell out. There’s a Lirru (snake) rock hole called Kuntjunjarri near a pinnacle which is an eagle sitting down. The rock hole has spring water and never dries out.



Myra Yurtiwa COOKE Lirrun Acrylic on Canvas 101.6 x 38.1cm 345-10

This painting depicts a story from Myra’s mother’s country, Lirrun. A serpent snake man came from the South of Pukarra. The snake had been trying to steal a girl to become his wife. She called all the feather foot men and they chased him away to Pukarra. The blue marks in this painting show the featherfoot men chasing the serpant snake man through country.



Betty LAIDLAW

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Betty LAIDLAW Art Therapy Project Acrylic on Canvas 50.8 x 30.5cm 98-09

Warakurna Artists works closely with Wanarn Aged Care Facility to conduct art therapy sessions with elderly patients. This joyous communal activity has a myriad of positive benefits such as reliving boredom and frustration. This workshops are fun and there is a lot of laughter. Health staff report that this diversional therapy helps to reduce patient’s drug intake and the old people rejoice in sharing and passing on their important Tjukurrpa with their families who visit them when the workshops are conducted. Warakurna Artists is a positive and powerful example of Aboriginal businesses managed and governed by artists and community elders ensuring the wealth of talent and economic returns are retained in the community. When you purchase artwork from an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre, you contribute


Neville Niypula MCARTHUR Birth Date Language Skin/Clan

01/01/1938 Ngaanyatjarra Purungu

Neville McArthur was born at Tutana a rockhole in the Spinifex Country South of Warburton. He has lived most of his life between Leonora (as a horseman and stockman), Mount Margaret, Patjarr and Warburton but now resides in Wanarn. Neville paints tjukurrpa from his homeland in Spinifex Country such as Wilpina (Lake Baker, South-West of Warburton) and Malu Tjukurrpa. He couldn’t tell any details about Wilpina - it’s a strong and sacred Tjukurrpa. Neville has had a long career as an artist working with the Spinifex Arts Project, Warburton Art Project, Kayili Artists and since moving to Wanarn in 2010, working with Warakurna Artists. He is also recognised for his skillfull carving of traditional mens’ weaponry.

Collections W. & V. McGeoch Collection, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Warburton Arts Collection, Kalgoorlie, WA, Australia. Western Australian Museum, Perth, WA, Australia. University of Queensland Anthropology Museum, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

Awards 2017 2017 2016 2015

Open Winner Leonora Art Prize Finalist National and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory Winner Leonora Art Prize Finalist National and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory


Selected Group Exhibitions 2017 Praxis Gallery, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Dreaming of Ngurra - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, Museum and Art Gallery of Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin, NT, Australia. Ngayuku Ngurra - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. 2016 Salon des Refuses - Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT, Australia. Pro Community: Art of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands - Art Kelch, Germany 2015 Painters of Place and Time - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2013 Desert Boards – Warakurna, Wanarn & Kayili - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. The Wild Ones – Paintings from the Western Desert Mob and Spinifex Arts Project - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. 2012 Wati Tjilpiku Canvas - Raft Artspace. Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Purnu, Tjanpi and Canvas - Art from the Ngaanyatjarra Lands - Lawrence Wilson Gallery, University of Western Australia. Perth, WA, Australia. Way Out West, Western Desert Mob Group Exhibition - Raft Artspace, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Warakurna and Wanarn – Group Show - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2011 Warakurna and Wanarn – Group Show - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2010 Warakurna and Wanarn – Group Show - Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2009 Desert Mob - Araluen Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Tjitirn-tjitirn Manta Kutu Kurukurra - Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA, Australia.



Neville Niypula MCARTHUR Marlu Dreaming Acrylic on Canvas 76.2 x 101.6cm 16-17

This painting captures the Marlu Dreaming as he made his tracks around the Lake Baker area, Neville’s country, in WA.



Neville Niypula MCARTHUR Lake Baker Acrylic on Canvas 152.4 x 50.8cm 134-16

Neville McArthur was born at Tutana a rockhole in the Spinifex Country South of Warburton. He has lived most of his life in Patjarr and Warburton but now resides in Wanarn. Neville paints tjukurrpa from his homeland in Spinifex Country such as Wilpina (Lake Baker, South-West of Warburton) and Malu Tjukurrpa. He couldn’t tell any details about Wilpina - it’s a strong and sacred Tjukurrpa. Neville has had a long career as an artist working with the Spinifex Arts Project, Warburton Art Project, Kayili Artists and since moving to Wanarn in 2010, working with Warakurna Artists. He is also recognised for his skillfull carving of traditional mens’ weaponry.



Neville Niypula MCARTHUR Lake Baker Acrylic on Canvas 101.6 x 76.2cm 137-16

Neville McArthur was born at Tutana a rockhole in the Spinifex Country South of Warburton. He has lived most of his life in Patjarr and Warburton but now resides in Wanarn. Neville paints tjukurrpa from his homeland in Spinifex Country such as Wilpina (Lake Baker, South-West of Warburton) and Malu Tjukurrpa. He couldn’t tell any details about Wilpina - it’s a strong and sacred Tjukurrpa. Neville has had a long career as an artist working with the Spinifex Arts Project, Warburton Art Project, Kayili Artists and since moving to Wanarn in 2010, working with Warakurna Artists. He is also recognised for his skillfull carving of traditional mens’ weaponry.



Neville Niypula MCARTHUR Lake Baker Acrylic on Canvas 101.6 x 50.8cm 468-17

Neville McArthur was born at Tutana a rockhole in the Spinifex Country South of Warburton. He has lived most of his life in Patjarr and Warburton but now resides in Wanarn. Neville paints tjukurrpa from his homeland in Spinifex Country such as Wilpina (Lake Baker, South-West of Warburton) and Malu Tjukurrpa. He couldn’t tell any details about Wilpina - it’s a strong and sacred Tjukurrpa. Neville has had a long career as an artist working with the Spinifex Arts Project, Warburton Art Project, Kayili Artists and since moving to Wanarn in 2010, working with Warakurna Artists. He is also recognised for his skillfull carving of traditional mens’ weaponry.



Neville Niypula MCARTHUR Lake Baker Acrylic on Canvas 101.6 x 50.8cm 494-17

Neville McArthur was born at Tutana a rockhole in the Spinifex Country South of Warburton. He has lived most of his life in Patjarr and Warburton but now resides in Wanarn. Neville paints tjukurrpa from his homeland in Spinifex Country such as Wilpina (Lake Baker, South-West of Warburton) and Malu Tjukurrpa. He couldn’t tell any details about Wilpina - it’s a strong and sacred Tjukurrpa. Neville has had a long career as an artist working with the Spinifex Arts Project, Warburton Art Project, Kayili Artists and since moving to Wanarn in 2010, working with Warakurna Artists. He is also recognised for his skillfull carving of traditional mens’ weaponry.


Works in Progress - Tjukurrpa Purlkana

Neville McArthur Painting

Female Warakurna artists painting al fresco

Warakurna Works Drying on the

Female Warakurna artists on a bush trip


Female Warakurna artists painting al fresco

Fred Ward at Wirrtal

Source: Š Photos Jane Menzies, Courtesy Warakurna Artists

e Troopee


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