Tali Desert Sand Dunes

Tali Desert Sand Dunes brings together artworks that express the sandhill landforms found in nature as the formative idea for structures and symbols for Aboriginal artists.

Artists Maureen Hudson Nampijinpa and her daughter Julieanne Turner Nungarrayi paint the shifting surfaces of desert sand dunes seen in their home country at Mt Allan in Central Australia. The forms of sandhills and other landscape features are seen in more specific locations painted by Yinarupa Gibson Nangala and Marlene Young Nungurrayi.

Margaret Lewis Napangardi refers to the rolling sandhill country found around the Women’s ceremonial site of Mina Mina. The idea of water run-off being controlled by the shape of the country is expressed in the work of Kellyanne Nungarrayi Gibson, Andrew Tjupurrula Highfold and Yondee Shane Hansen. Also the nature of rolling desert country provides small pockets of protection where food sources flourish and this idea appears in the work of Gracie Morton Pwerle.

In Creation stories referring to country the Ancestors formed the shape of country by their journeys and exploits. References to these events are seen in the work of Alison Munti Riley and Michelle Butler Nakamarra. The exhibition Tali Desert Sand Dunes is on display at Japingka Gallery throughout November and December.