111582339384

Published by on November 25, 2024

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 for their diverse, energetic, and unmediated painting styles, their works reflect the dramatic geography and scale of their homelands. Each artist, however, brings a unique approach to their craft.

Younger Martu artists often start painting alongside their parents, grandparents, and extended family, which fosters an organic learning process. This not only involves mastering painting techniques but also understanding specific locations, family histories, traditional ways of life, bush tucker, and Jukurrpa (Dreaming). Over time, with encouragement from their peers, they develop their own distinct styles and explore unique painting techniques and subject matter. In this work the artist brings a contemporary, evolving perspective to their work.

Categories: Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

Name: Emily Bumba

Biography:

I was born in La Grange Mission- now it’s called Bidyadanga community. Bidyadanga means emu drinking from a waterhole in Karajarri language. Bidyadanga is home to four other tribes besides Karajarri. They came from the desert- the Mangala, Nyangamarta, Juwaliny and Yulparrija tribes. My father’s tribe is from the Ngurrara area (Joanna Springs) and his language group is Mangala. My mother’s tribe is Manyjillyjarra. She’s from the Great Sandy Desert, Kulyakartu area.

I, myself go by two ways- my mother’s and my father’s way. I am Milangka skin, my father is Panaka and my mother is Karimarra. I have six sisters including myself and one brother. I grew up in Bidyadanga and I was schooling at La Grange Remote School up until grade seven. I did my years eight to ten at Nulungu College in Broome. I did further education in Saint Mary’s school in Leederville until year twelve. I was placed in a foster house in Perth while I was schooling- I went back and forth during school holidays to be with my family.

Growing up in Bidyadanga was strict! My father was really protective of all of us- my sisters and brother. He wanted the best for us, for our education, and to have respect for our elders and for our family members. My father was working for the mission, he was a manager helping Father McKelson. Working alongside beside him was John Dodo, a Karajarri tribal elder, and Jack Malardy, also a Karajarri tribal elder. My mother was working at the bakery shop along with the other local ladies. She was also working with the nuns doing laundry and ironing and cooking for the lay missionaries.

The reason why I took up painting is because both of my parents came from the desert, the Martu and Ngurrara area. Working with the old people here at the Martumili Artists centre is giving me more connection to my mother and father’s country, because both of my parents have passed away. I feel privileged working with my elders, Wokka and Muuki and [Kanu] Nancy Taylor (dec.), my mother’s brothers and her sister in law. Their stories will continue on in my paintings.

© the artist / art centre