Anangu Artists - We Carry Story in our Hearts

Anangu artists from the Pitjantjatjarra lands have developed powerful imagery to convey the importance of culture and country in their artworks. Structure and colour define the style developed by these artists in their expressions of Jukurrpa, the great Creation stories that laid down the Law and the meaning in the landscape as the Ancestors made their epic journeys across the lands.

Contributing artists to this exhibition include Alison Munti Riley, Imitjala Curley, Carolanne Ken, Kay Baker, Clarise Tunkin, Patricia Baker, Teresa Baker and Madeline Curley.

Clarise Tunkin’s art relates to the legendary figure of Marlilu, a woman who features in many of the stories of Clarise’s grandmother Kay Baker, which she handed down to her daughters, Teresa Baker (Clarise’s mother) and Patricia Baker. Clarise now paints the stories of Marlilu, a Pitjantjatjara ancestral creation figure, with evocative power. She recalls visiting Marlilu’s cave with her mother when she was younger. The story takes place between Kanpi and Watarru in the Pitjantjatjara lands.  Marlilu is responsible for the formation of many of the landforms in the area including the underground caverns at Mt Lindsay, which towers over the Watarru community.

Alison Munti Riley paints the Seven Sisters Dreaming story. This is a major Dreaming track that crosses large tracts of the Australian continent. Each language group is custodian for aspects of the story and the creation sites that belong to their homelands. Alison paints the narrative of the Seven Sisters as they flee from the Wati Kujarra. In a series of actions that leaves behind sacred sites and meanings embedded in the landscape, the Seven Sisters make a Dreaming track that follows their journey and remains on the land for their Anangu people to mark and celebrate.

The exhibition is on display at Japingka Gallery from 14 February to 25 March 2020.