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Kurturarra

Kurturarra is a yinta (permanent spring) located within the largest of the salt lakes in the Percival Lakes region, and surrounded by acacia trees. Other nearby water sources include Kupankurlu and Yimiri.

The Percival Lakes form a string of ephemeral salt lakes in the north of Western Australia, extending across a distance of 350km. They lie at the southern region of the Great Sandy Desert and east of the Karlamilyi (Rudall River) region. The Canning Stock Route runs in close proximity to some of the lakes, and crosses the salt pan of Tobin Lake near the eastern end. 

The region surrounding Kurturarra was formed by Wirnpa, one of the most powerful of the ancestral jila (snake) men and the last to travel the desert during the Jukurrpa (Dreaming). Wirnpa is a rainmaking jila who lived and hunted in the Percival Lakes area. His travels are described in the songs and stories of many language groups across the Western Desert, even those far removed from his home site. In his epic travels, Wirnpa met and feasted with many other ancestral beings, exchanged ceremonial objects, and created a series of different laws and ceremonies. When he finally returned home, he searched for his many children only to discover that they had already died. They had laid down and become the salt springs of the Percival Lakes. Wirnpa wept for his children before himself transforming into a snake and entering the soak where he still resides.

Categories: Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

Name: Pauline Williams

Language: Manyjilyjarra

Community: Kunawarritji

Biography:

"I was born in Jigalong. My Dad's Country is all around Kunawarritji rockhole. He was born at Kunawarritji well, [Canning Stock Route] Well 33. Sometimes I paint that area. My mum used to paint and I started doing the painting with her. We painted her Country, and her mother's Country; [permanent springs] Wirnpa and Yimirri, the Jukurrpa (Dreaming) stories for that Country. It's in the Percival Lakes area. I've never been there but I know those places because of painting with my mum. Both sides I do painting.

I also used to paint with my two aunties; Rosie [Mantararr (Muntararr)] Williams (dec.) and [Muni] Rita Simpson (dec.), my mother's sisters. They've got one father. They came from one Country. My mum and my auntie's painting, that's the one I'm doing now- but my style is a little bit different. 

Background I like to use reds, for the red dust. I also like to use purple. All sorts of colours! I see those colours in the Country- all the sandhills, jila (snakes), or the Country around Kunawarritji well. That area is green.

I feel proud and happy when someone buys my painting. I love painting. I come in every day. Sometimes I go to my father's Country and I do the painting there too."

- Pauline Williams 

 

Pauline Williams, daughter of renowned Martumili Artist Jugarda (Dulcie) Gibbs (dec.), is part of the new generation of Martumili Artists. She frequently paints her mother's traditional country between the Percival Lakes and Kunawarritji. Recently Pauline has exhibited as part of several award and group exhibitions, including 'Revealed Emerging Aboriginal artists from Western Australia' (Fremantle Art Centre),'The Jury Prize' (Port Hedland Courthouse Gallery), 'Cossack Art Awards' and 'Desert Mob' (Araluen Centre).


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