111580819448

Published by on

Minyi Puru

“The Minyi Puru (Seven sisters) made the damper and left it there and it turned into big round Yapu (rocks). Still there now.”

Miriam Atkins

This painting depicts a part of the Minyi Puru (Seven Sisters) story. Minyi Puru is an important Jukurrpa (dreamtime) story about seven sisters that are travelling throughout the desert running away from an old man called Yurla. The man chases the wantis (women) all the way from Roebourne on the west coast right through Martu country before flying east. Along the way they stop at a lot of important places to camp, sing, dance and collect bush tucker. There are also many interactions with Yurla when he catches up with them along the way, creating an amazing abundance of stories and meaning with this culturally rich narrative.

Categories: Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

Name: Miriam Atkins

Language: Putijarra

Biography:

Miriam Atkins was born in 1947 on Bulloo Downs Station, located south east of Newman. She is the sister of highly acclaimed Martumili Artist Yunkurra Billy Atkins. Today Miriam lives between Newman and Jigalong Aboriginal community.

Miriam was one of the pioneering painters at Martumili Artists. She paints her family’s ngurra (home Country, camp), spanning from the southern end of the Canning Stock Route through to Kumpupirntily (Kumpupintily, Lake Disappointment). Miriam has developed a unique painting style, oscillating between naive realist landscapes and more highly abstracted depictions of her Country, blending traditional symbology with beautifully patterned motifs. Her paintings have been exhibited across Australia as part of several group exhibitions.

Related Posts

Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

111582328423

Kiwirrkurra Kiwirrkurra is a rockhole located in the tali (sandhill) Country of the Gibson Desert, to the south west of Lake McKay. An Aboriginal community by the same name is now located nearby, to the Read more…

Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

111582328427

Untitled Montana is part of the youngest generation of Martumili Artists. She, like her contemporaries, began to paint with her parents, grandparents and extended family, thus fostering an organic process of learning, not only about Read more…

Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

111582328425

Untitled Martumili Artists work with over three hundred artists from remote Martu Aboriginal communities, including Punmu, Parnngurr, Kunawarritji, Jigalong, Irrungadji (Nullagine), and Warralong, as well as from the Parnpajinya (Newman) gallery and studio spaces. Known Read more…

© the artist / art centre