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Flowers blooming on the Canning

“This is the wells along the Canning Stock Route. I’m from Well number 1, that’s where Wiluna is. From Well number 5 through to 15, that is where we had our determination, the Birriliburu [Native Title] determination. The government gave us our land back, so that’s why I’m painting my Country there, to make me proud. We are proud to get our land back, happy.  

When it’s spring that’s when the wildflowers come out on the Canning (stock route). When you go travelling you see flowers everywhere. You see the purple and green mulla mulla, red marlukururrpa (sturt desert pea), and the pink and white desert rose, yellow belly buttons, and blue belly buttons.

I painted the claypans, dried claypans all around, and the waterholes that were turned to wells along the Canning Stock Route. When our ancestors were roaming they knew where to find the water underground when the other water is dry.

We go back on Country and they [the elders] show us where they been walking around. When the waterholes have been destroyed by camels and cattle we clean it up- that’s our job to clean it and look after our Country. Without us it’ll die on us. We need to care for our Country and show the young generation to take over.”

– Roxanne Anderson

 

In this work, Roxanne has depicted several themes relating to her ngurra (home Country), including the historically significant Canning Stock Route, the seasonal blooming of wildflowers, and the significance and care for water sources.

Western Australia’s gold rush, beginning in 1885, created a huge demand for beef from mines located between Halls Creek and Wiluna, which led to the construction of the near 2000 kilometre Canning Stock Route. The construction of the route by Alfred Canning and his team in 1910 resulted in first contact with Europeans for many Martu then living a pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) life in the desert. This contact began with Canning’s use of Aboriginal guides to lead him to the sources of water that would be transformed into 48 stock route wells. Acts of cruelty toward these guides included, amongst other things, chaining them at night to prevent their escape and giving them salt water to drink, thereby ensuring their thirst and subsequent necessity to lead the party to water sources.

Following the construction of the Canning Stock Route, Martu encountered Europeans and other Martu working as cattle drovers as they would travel up and down the Stock Route from water source to water source. Increasingly, pujiman followed the route to newly established ration depots, mission and pastoral stations. By the late 1950s and early 1960s, most of the desert family groups had left the desert.

Patterns of movement which had defined Aboriginal people’s relationships to Country were forever changed by the Canning Stock Route, but the Martu relationship with Country remains strong through the maintenance of physical and cultural ties to desert life and knowledge.

During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) period, knowledge of water sources was critical for survival, and today Martu Country is still defined in terms of the location and type of water. Waterholes are sites that require maintenance, including digging to increase flow, clearing out surrounding growth, and cleaning up after sullying by camels or cattle.

Also depicted in this work are the remarkably diverse flora found through Martu Country. These plants are not only vital as significant food sources, but also celebrated for their aesthetic splendour. In the context of the often harsh and arid environments in which desert flowers bloom, their vibrancy, delicacy, and variation become even more spectacular. 

Categories: Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

Name: Roxanne Anderson

Language: Manyjilyjarra

Community: Derby

Biography:

“My name is Roxanne Anderson. I was born in Barwidgee Station in the bush at a windmill called Top Mill. It’s 190 kilometres from Wiluna, southeast. My parents worked there at Barwidgee Station. My father was shearing and mustering sheep. My mother, she used to be the house lady, doing all the cleaning.

We stayed at the station with a lot of other families. My auntie used to look after us when my mum was at work. She learned [taught] us about hunting and gathering for bush tucker. We grew up there, we stayed there until we went into town on the Wiluna Mission in the 70’s, ‘till it closed in ’75 or maybe ’76. We got our education in Wiluna Mission, and on the holidays the boss lady from the station and my mum used to pick us up, but we wouldn’t hang around. We’d go back to the bush- learn about hunting and bush foods.

After Wiluna I was living with my auntie in East Perth, and I went to Carlisle Primary school. Then I went to Kalgoorlie Eastern Goldfield’s Senior High, stayed in a boarding place. I knew other people from Wiluna that was going there.

I got four childrens, my oldest is a son and the other three are my daughters. My son and my two youngest daughters all paint. They looked at me and learned. I got four grandchildren, three grandson and one granddaughter, little ones.

I had a lot of paintings in exhibitions. I also done a logo of the Birriliburu [Native Title] Determination on the t-shirts and cups. I even got a Canning Stock Route painting on one of those Headsox. They’re all over Australia, but most of them are sold. I paint about my Country, and the flowers on the Canning [Stock Route] and the colours are what you see when you’re travelling in the springtime when the flowers are out. I also paint about the Seven Sisters [dreaming].

My father was a painter, but he done oil painting, landscape. My sister Vera, she do dot painting, and I do dot painting too, and my sister Desrae [Anderson] and our brothers. I taught myself. I learned how to mix my colours and match. I like painting about Canning [Stock Route], Seven Sisters Jukurrpa (dreaming), and wildflowers. We tell our stories in the paint.”

 - Roxanne Anderson

 

Born on Barwidgee Station at the first well on the Canning Stock Route near Top Mill, Western Australia, Roxanne Anderson is of the Martu people. Coming from a long line of talented artists, she is experimental in her approach, developing her own style. Working in various colour combinations, Roxanne brings to life the traditional stories of the Martu people which is embedded into the depth and detail of her paintings.

Derby is renowned for being the home of the Boab Tree which symbolises the essence and majesty of the Kimberley Region. Roxanne enjoys bringing these trees to life and interweaving their story with her own. Her work is highly sought after and attracts buyers from Australia and overseas.

Those who visit Derby may have been lucky enough to meet Roxanne. You will know her by her relaxed nature, warm personality and great sense of humour.

Roxanne was selected for The Revealed Exhibition 2015. The Revealed exhibition showcases art by emerging Western Australian Aboriginal artists, across a variety of artistic mediums and with a diverse range of styles.

Roxanne’s ‘Canning Stock Route’ was selected by Headsox Australia. “By purchasing an Aboriginal Desert Art Headsox, you are helping us support Aboriginal Artist’s and their communities.” – Head Sox

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