Contemporary Australia: Women

59 and rocks surrounding Amata shelter significant sites where important creation narratives were played out, such as that of the Seven Sisters, which is about the constellations of Pleiades and Orion — a major story embedded deep within the Amata landscape and told in ancient charcoal and ochre cave paintings. It is seen here in Seven sisters and Tjala Tjukurpa (Honey Ant Dreaming) 2012, painted by senior artist Paniny Mick with her daughters Tjungkara Ken, Sandra Ken, Yaritji Young and Marinka Mick. Tjampawa Katie Kawiny has also painted her own version of this story, entitled simply Seven sisters 2011 — a rich carpet of intensely coloured multiple circles, the abstract symbolism masking the sacred Tjukurpa meaning. Wawiriya Burton, is a senior woman of law and culture and a revered Ngangkari (traditional healer). Though she only started painting in 2008, her deep cultural knowledge is evident in her refined, complex depictions of her Dreaming stories, particularly of Minyma Mingkiri Tjuta, a secret story telling of the many small female mice found in the desert. In Waturrunganampa ngura (Waturru – Our country) 2012, sisters Iluwanti Ken and Mary Katatjuku Pan have painted with their daughter Sylvia Kanytjupai Ken and granddaughter Serena Ken, depicting their country: Waturru. The work features realistic animals, particularly lizards and birds, because they teach Anangu women how to be good mothers: how to fight for their children, protect and feed them. Tjala artists are noted for their energetic mark-making, brilliant colours and diverse painting styles. However, the dotting technique is used most often — as the artists work, the sound of paint-loaded brushes striking canvas is dominant. They work with intense concentration, using repetitive movements and even overlapping the dots to create richly textured surfaces. During this process, their connection with the land is so deeply felt that they ‘inhabit their country’, so much so that they may barely recognise their own paintings when seen at a later stage — a concept described by Tjala Arts Manager, Skye O’Meara, as ‘working in a bubble’. Having completed a year of painting for exhibitions and competitions, and fulfilled all of their seasonal ceremonial commitments, the women launched wholeheartedly into the project for ‘Contemporary Australia: Women’. After much communal discussion, they elected to paint as many works as was needed to satisfy them culturally and artistically. Initial cool weather and soft rain combined with their pride and enthusiasm for making work for the ‘special place’ (Queensland Art Gallery) generated great excitement for the project and this is very evident in these seven wonderful paintings. More importantly, though, in caring for these precious paintings, the Gallery has forged an enduring relationship of trust with the Amata Community. Diane Moon Ruby Tjangawa Williamson Australia b.1940 Pitjantjatjara people Wawiriya Burton Australia b.1925 Pitjantjatjara people Punu 2011 Synthetic polymer paint on linen 197 x 195.5cm Tjampawa Katie Kawiny Australia b.c.1921 Pitjantjatjara people Mona Mitakiki Shepherd Australia b.1954 Pitjantjatjara people (Collaborating artist) Tjimpayie Prestley Australia b.1967 Pitjantjatjara people (Collaborating artist) Seven sisters 2011 Synthetic polymer paint on linen 196 x 196.5cm Iluwanti Ken Australia b.1944 Pitjantjatjara people Mary Katatjuku Pan Australia b.1944 Pitjantjatjara people Sylvia Kanytjupai Ken Australia b.1965 Pitjantjatjara people (Collaborating artist) Serena Ken Australiab.1985 Pitjantjatjara people (Collaborating artist) Waturru Nganampa Ngura (Waturru – Our country) 2012 Synthetic polymer paint on linen 196 x 196.5cm Amata painters