Martuwarra (River Country) - Sonia Kurarra Solo

REDOT FINE ART GALLERY in conjunction with Mangkaja Arts Resource presents

Martuwarra (River Country) Sonia Kurarra Solo

9 t h April - 10 t h May 2014

For a high resolution, downloadable, PDF version of the 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

f i n e

i n d i g e n o u s

a r t

Sonia Kurarra Painting at Home Source: Š Mangkaja Arts Resources Agency

Martuwarra (River Country)

A work starts with a single stroke. A master-stroke. No truer word could be used to describe the beginning of an artwork by Sonia Kurarra. To witness her work unfold so skilfully and confidently both in composition and colour from this singular stroke is truly a sight to behold.

Mesmerising both in application and result, her work reflects both her intimate connection to country and her tenacious character.

Kurarra is a Walmajarri woman who paints the sandy billabong country on a small stretch of the Fitzroy River directly behind Yungngora community. She relates in her paintings to her birth country, Martuwarra (river country) rather than her ancestral home of the Great Sandy Desert. It is through her artworks that she shares the eco systems of the Fitzroy River and her connection to this land.

From an early sporadic practice, predominantly on paper throughout the 1990’s a shift into working on canvas in 2008 and a slowing of her nomadic disposition brought about a new vigour and conviction to her practice. Her first solo exhibition was in 2009 to which she had an overwhelming response. She has since had numerous solo exhibitions and received a number of prestigious accolades which has seen her standing in both the Aboriginal and Contemporary Art Markets rise significantly.

Kurarra’s paintings are in response to her Martuwarra and are, at least in concept, figurative.

Though through her continuous layering, repetition and overlapping of colours and motifs the imagery blurs. This abstraction of the figurative form often creates unattainable subject matter for both the viewer and the artist. Kurarra paints intuitively and with a sense of immediacy, creating energetic and rhythmic images which share both her connection to country and the strength of her character. A sense of urgency is conveyed through an enate need to share and re-live her river country.

The work bears an exuberance and sureness of hand, fearless in colour and with a brash sense of confidence, each layer seemingly conflicting with the previous, though the result is beyond reproach.

Her artworks are created organically and without preconceived conceptions. Her

first stroke creates the work, both in composition and subject.

Early motifs and fishes are large and bold, though as the canvas dissipates, smaller and smaller elongated fish are squeezed into the confines of the picture plane.

Her motifs are repeated over and over again and it is through this process that she often loses sight of her reference points, requiring prompting as to the subject matter or in her frustrations painting something entirely different to the previous layer. She paints seated and with the canvas strewn out horizontally before her, concentrating only on the subject at hand letting the composition unfold unrestricted. It is only when the middle cannot be reached does she request a vertical position, revealing the work in its entirety for the first time, often met with a nod of approval or thumbs up.

To watch her paint is mesmerising, the broad sweep of her brush scribes her country with exact confidence, layer upon layer. The exuberance of her character, falling in and out of meditative state, as she reflects back on her birthplace and country whilst meticulously covering the canvas and occasionally breaking into song is heart-warming. Kurarra is an artist in the truest sense and creating art has become an occupation of the mind, happily creating work over the years on paper towel, card board boxes, and beer carton dividers. Whilst devastating to curators and collectors this process stands testament to her practice and her motives for creating her art.

Etched in her psyche Kurarra’s practice is a requirement within herself, a scripture denoting her connection to country, which she embraces without hesitation through her artistic practices.

Guy Hayes Art Coordinator ArtArk. Formerly Art Coordinator, Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency Sonia and Guy in Fitzroy Crossing (Above) Sonia Painting by the River in her Country (Left) Source: Š Guy Hayes and Mangkaja Arts Resources Agency

Sonia Singing Songlines to Explain Her Work (2012) Source: Š Mangkaja Arts Resources Agency

Sonia Kurarra

Birth Date Language Country Skin

c. 1952 Walmajarri Noonkanbah Nampiyinti

Sonia Kurarra grew up in the river country at Yungngora (Noonkanbah). She used to help the kindergarten teacher with teaching art. They used to take the children out to the Sandy Billabong and teach them how to paint and dance. There is a ngarrangkarni [Dreamtime] snake that lives in the billabong. His name is Nangurra.

Sonia began painting at Mangkaja in the early 1990s working mostly on paper. Since 2008, Sonia has been working predominantly on canvas and her practice has become more consistent. She has exhibited in numerous group shows and had an overwhelming response to her first solo shows in 2009.

Sonia paints the sandy billabong country along the stretch of the Fitzroy River that runs directly behind the community. After the flood waters recede, there are billabongs that hold a plentiful supply of parlka [barramundi], kurlumajarti [catfish] and bream. She paints gapi [fish], parrmarr [rocks] where the fish is cooked, ngurti [coolamon] and a karli [boomerang].

Sonia paints these images over and over as though they are etched into her psyche; works that are linear representations in monotones and others that are layers lathered on with wild and confident brush strokes. These contemporary compositions display an outstanding understanding of colour.

Painting Themes Fitzroy River and billabongs near Yungngora (Noonkanbah) River behind Yungngora

Awards 2012 Winner of Most Outstanding Work – Hedland Art Awards 2010 Winner of Best Indigenous Work – WA Art Awards 2010 Winner of Best Indigenous Work – Hedland Art Awards

Solo Exhibitions 2013 Sonia Kurarra, Aboriginal and Pacific Art 2012 Sonia Kurarra, Gabrielle Pizzi Gallery 2011 Sonia Kurarra, Short St Gallery 2010 Sonia Kurarra, Randall Lane 2009 Sonia Kurarra, Randell Lane Fine Art, Perth, WA 2009 Sonia Kurarra, Gallery Gondwana, Sydney, NSW 2009 Sonia Kurarra, Short St Gallery

Group Exhibitions 2011 Sonia Kurarra and Cory Surprise, Aboriginal and Pacific Art 2009 Mangkaja Artists 60x60, Randell Lane Fine Art, WA 2009 Sharing Difference on Common Ground, Holmes a Court Gallery, Perth, WA and Kimberley Aboriginal Artists 2009 Shalom Gamarada, Caspary Conference Centre, University of NSW 2009 East Meets West, Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs, NT 2009 Senior Artists from Fitzroy Crossing, Suzanne O’Connell Gallery, Brisbane, QLD 2009 Mangkaja Survey Show, Short St Gallery, Broome, WA 2009 Emerging and Re-emerging, Outstation, Darwin, NT 2009 Margaret River Meets Fitzroy Crossing, Tunbridge Gallery, Margaret River, WA 2008 Bendi Lango, The Indigenous Scholarship Fund Sydney and Fireworks Gallery, Brisbane, QLD 2008 Mangkaja Artists WA, Randell Lane Fine Art, WA 2008 Women on Country, Suzanne O’Connell Gallery, Brisbane, QLD 2008 Divas of The Desert, Gallery Gondwana, Sydney, NSW 2008 Marnintu Maparnana [Women Painting], ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Singapore 2008 Wet n’ Wild, Artkelch, Freiburg, Germany 2007 Bendi Lango, The Indigenous Scholarship Fund, Sydney and Fireworks Gallery, Brisbane, QLD 2007 Women Artists of Fitzroy Crossing, Raft Artspace, Darwin, NT 2003 Water and Food, Cullity Gallery, University of Western Australia

Collections Kerry Stokes Collection Holmes and Courts Collection Geraldton Regional Art Gallery Murdoch University Art Collection Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art Peter and Agnes Cooke Collection Bertrand Estrangin Collection

Finalist 2013 TOGART Contemporary Art Award 2013 Telstra NATSIAA 2013 Geraldton Mid-West Art Award 2013 Hobart City Art Award 2012 TOGART Contemporary Art Award 2012 Telstra NATSIAA

Public Art 2010 Fitzroy Crossing Swimming Pool

Publications 2009 Kimberley Aboriginal Artists Sharing Difference on Common Ground 2003 Exhibition Catalogue Cullity Gallery UWA Perth / Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency Martuwarra and Jila, Jumu, Jiwari and Wirrkuja

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi).

We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around. When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes.

These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on Linen 180 x 600cm 416/13

Martuwarra (River Country) - Work 416/13 in Progress

Source: Š Mangkaja Arts Resources Agency

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi).

We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around. When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes.

These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Artist Acrylic on 14oz Canvas 120 x 270cm 1/13

SOLD

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi).

We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around. When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes.

These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Artist Acrylic on 14oz Canvas 120 x 270cm 103/13

SOLD

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on Linen 240 x 180cm 358/13

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 240 x 180cm 7/13

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Telstra Finalist 2013

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 240 x 180cm 7/12

SOLD

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Telstra Finalist 2012

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi).

We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around. When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes.

These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 120 x 240cm 356/13

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi).

We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around. When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes.

These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 120 x 240cm 357/13

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi).

We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around. When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes.

These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 120 x 240cm 343/12

SOLD

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 180 x 120cm 210/13

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 180 x 120cm 5/13

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 180 x 120cm 6/13

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 180 x 120cm 114/13

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 180 x 120cm 211/13

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 180 x 120cm 96/13

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

TOGART Finalist 2013

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 180 x 120cm 3/13

SOLD

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Artist Acrylic on 14oz Canvas 180 x 120cm 2/13

SOLD

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Artist Acrylic on 14oz Canvas 180 x 120cm 88/13

SOLD

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 180 x 120cm 73/12

SOLD

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

TOGART Finalist 2012

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 160 x 160cm 112/13

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 120 x 120cm 413/13

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 120 x 120cm 414/13

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 120 x 120cm 415/13

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 120 x 120cm 78/13

SOLD

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

Parlka And Palm Trees Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 120 x 60cm 14/07

This is parlka and palm trees in the Fitzroy river at Noonkanbah.

Sonia KURARRA

Martuwarra Atelier Acrylic Paint on 14oz Canvas 90 x 90cm 585/12

Martuwarra is my river country; this painting is all about the Fitzroy River which flows down through Noonkanbah where I live. All kinds of fish live in the water, we catch big mob of fish here. I like Parlka (barrumundi). We catch catfish and brim here too. Nganku (shark), Wirritunany (swordfish) and Stingray also live here. These fish live in these waters long after the flood has gone.

Also this painting is about barrumundi swimming on the surface of the water, you can also see the Wakiri (pandanus tree) and rocks all around.

When the barrumundi get tired they go back into the rock holes. These rock holes hold all the Parlka (barrumundi) that live in the river. Kalputu (water snakes) also live in these rock holes and swim all around the Palma (creeks) and all around the Wakiri that grows in the river.

Sonia KURARRA

River Atelier Acrylic, 150gsm Bockingford 56 x 76cm 565/07

The Fitzroy River.

Sonia KURARRA

River Atelier Acrylic, 150gsm Bockingford 56 x 76cm 572/07

The Fitzroy River.

Sonia KURARRA

River and Palm Trees Atelier Acrylic, 250gsm Velin Arches Paper 56 x 76cm 101/08

This is the Fitzroy River with all the palm trees at Noonkanbah.

Sonia KURARRA

Makurru Pamarr Atelier Acrylic, 150gsm Bockingford 56 x 76cm 573/07

Cold rock pool near river with palm trees.

Sonia Preparing Works for Martuwarra (River Country)

Source: Š Mangkaja Arts Resources Agency

In conjunction with

ARTS RESOURCE AGENCY

and of course Sonia, without whom this show would have never been possible.

REDOT FINE ART GALLERY ArtSpace@Helutrans, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, 39 Keppel Road, Gallery 9 Unit #01-05, Singapore 089065 +65 6222 1039 • info@redotgallery.com

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