The defining features of Australia’s expansive deserts are the sandhills that give structure to the landscape and often create micro zones within the vast openness of the desert. In certain areas the sandhills form up in parallel rows, reflecting the prevailing patterns of wind that form the moving sands into dunes. When sheltered by sandhills, the vegetation can develop on the protected side of the dunes and provide a harvest of edible bush foods and seeds.
Sandhills also drain moisture into the lower levels of the sand, which can form underground water reservoirs. The constant pressure between the arid climate and the resource of water held below ground level can be read by indigenous people to find the signs of water from clues revealed on the surface. Structures of the landscape also inform the cultural markings and patterns that appear in Tingari and other sacred markings that link people, landscape and creation myths.
Twelve artists have contributed to the exhibition Sandhill Country, Paintings of Inland Australia – Maureen Hudson Nampijinpa, Eileen Napaltjarri, George Tjungurrayi, Makinti Napanangka, Margaret Lewis Napangardi, Walala Tjapaltjarri, George Ward Tjungurrayi, Andrew Tjupurrula Highfold, Thomas Tjapaltjarri, Julie Nangala Robinson, Mandy Nakamarra Marshall and Ronnie Tjampijinpa. The exhibition runs from 25 February to 29 March 2022 at Japingka Gallery.
