111581886809

Published by on

Untitled

This painting portrays physical elements of Martu Country, such as the dominant tali (sandhills), warta (trees, vegetation), and water sources. Rock holes, waterholes, soaks and springs were all extremely important sites for Martu people during the pujiman (nomadic bush) era, with many important jukurrpa (dreamtime stories) chronicling the creation of these landmarks. In the past the Martu lived nomadically, moving from water source to water source, and hunting and gathering bush tucker as they went. They would traverse very large distances annually, visiting specific areas in the dry and wet season depending on the availability of water. As they travelled and hunted they would also burn areas of country creating a larger diversity of plant and animal life.

Categories: Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

Name: Montana Clause

Language: Manjilyjarra

Biography:

Montana was born in Newman, her family home, in 2002. Here she attended both Newman Primary School and Newman  Senior High School. Montana's mother grew up in the area surrounding Jigalong, just east of Newman. Her father was born and raised in Wiluna, approximately 350 kilometres south of Newman. For this reason Montana has spent much time travelling between and staying in these areas with her six brothers and sisters. She also regularly travels between the six remote Aboriginal communities that Martumili Artists works with; Punmu, Parnngurr, Kunawarritji, Jigalong, Irrungadji (Nullagine), and Warralong.

Montana began painting with Martumili Artists in 2009 at just eight years of age. In 2018 she began working with the group as an arts worker, assisting with various tasks around the art centre, and assisting with field trips out on Country. 

She is a great role model for younger kids and is proud to be passing on her own cultural traditions and practices. She enjoys going out on Country and helping old people and watching them paint their Country. 

Related Posts

Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

111582336332

Fiery Identities “Five fiery and hot heat circles of different Aboriginal identity groups in the Pilbara.” – Joan Lever   Martumili Artists work with over three hundred artists from remote Martu Aboriginal communities, including Punmu, Read more…

Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

111582336317

Helicopter “Flower after the rain, you know- a mix. Blue, pink, yellow and purple- grow up with the grass after the rain. You can see anywhere when the burnt ground grows after the rain. [On] Read more…

Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

111582336309

Karlamilyi- Jatarr Lily Long and/ or Wurta Amy French “This Karlamilyi area, big land. That’s a ngurra (home Country, camp) belonging to our old people, Warnman people. We talk for our land, our jila (snake). Read more…

© the artist / art centre