May 2022

111982128633

Kunkurra (The Spiralling Wind)

‘Kunkurra’, the spiralling wind is associated with several sites in the Kardbam clan estate. On one level, this painting can be interpreted as a depiction of the kinds of mini-cyclones common during the wet season in Arnhem Land, where the artist lives. In this painting, Kunkurra also relates specifically to a site called Bilwoyinj, near Mankorlod.

At this site, two of the most important Kuninjku creation beings, a father and son known as na-korrkko, are believed to have hunted and eaten a goanna. They left some of the goanna fat behind at the site, which turned into the rock that still stands there today. The word Bilwoyinj, which is the name of this site, also refers to the fat of the goanna. Bilwoyinj site is also a ceremonial ground for a ceremony called Yabbaduruwa, a major ceremony owned by the Yirridja patrimoiety. The Yabbaduruwa ceremony is primarily concerned with initiation, land ownership and promoting the cyclical regeneration of the human and natural worlds.

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111982128632

Kun-madj – large dillybag vine

Kun-madj, or dilly bag, is a large woven collecting basket. These large bags are often made from the vine ‘Malasia scandens’, a strong pliable plant which grows along the floor and into the canopy of monsoon vine thickets. The bags are used to collect any kind of large numbers of heavy foods such as fish caught in conical fish traps or large collections of yams.

They can also be made from Pandanus spiralis, a plant which grows in many areas of Arnhem Land. These dilly bags are a tightly woven collecting basket, very finely made. These dilly bags are often used to collect sugarbag, the native honey

As well as being of practical use, dilly bags are also of religious significance to Arnhem Land people. Dilly bags are said to be totemic objects and associated with particular sites in the landscape.

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111982128631

Ngalyod (Rainbow Serpent)

The rainbow serpent is a powerful mythological figure for all Aboriginal people throughout Australia. Characteristics of the rainbow serpent vary greatly from group to group and also depending on the site. Often viewed as a female generative figure, the rainbow serpent can sometimes also be male. She has both powers of creation and destruction and is most strongly associated with rain, monsoon seasons and of course the colour seen in rainbows which arc across the sky like a giant serpent. For Aboriginal people in Northern Australia, the rainbow serpent is said to be active during the wet season.

Known as Ngalyod in the Kuninjku language of western central Arnhem Land, the rainbow serpent is mostly associated with bodies of water such as billabongs, creeks, rivers and waterfalls where she resides. Therefore she is responsible for the production of most water plants such as water lilies, water vines, algae and palms, which grow near water. The roar of waterfalls in the escarpment country is said to be her voice. Large holes in stony banks of rivers and cliff faces are said to be her tracks. She is held in awe because of her apparent ability to renew her life by shedding her skin and emerging anew. Aboriginal myths about the rainbow serpent often describe her as a fearful creature that swallows humans only to regurgitate them, transformed by her blood. The white ochre used by artists to create the brilliant white paint for bark paintings, body decoration and in the past, rock art, is said to be the faeces of the rainbow serpent.

Aboriginal people today respect and care take sacred sites where the rainbow serpent is said to reside. Often certain activities are forbidden at these places for fear that the wrath of the great snake will cause sickness, accidents and even tempests. This is not always the case however and there are many rainbow serpent sites today where people may enter to hunt, fish or swim. By painting this figure on bark today, Aboriginal people are carrying on the longest uninterrupted mythological tradition in the world, which has been the subject of art and ceremony for possibly thousands of years.

By , ago

111582102091

Kintyre

“Young and old gotta do ‘im togther- old people gotta learn the young fellas about that place. Country. Martumili (belonging to Martu).”

 – Wokka Taylor

Produced to be a part of FORM’s Tracks We Share project, Martu artists embarked the creation of a large-scale collaborative painting depicting the Country and stories of Kintyre. Martu filmmaker and FORM project officer Curtis Taylor, FORM project officer Greg Taylor/Annie McLoughlin and Martumili staff and artists travelled to Parnngurr to attend an intense period of art making and conversation. Under the tutelage and direction from their elders, young artists laid the groundwork for the painting, with elders adding layers of details and knowledge to these foundations. Created by 23 artists over 18 months, the resulting artwork brings together stories of jukurrpa (dreaming), pre-colonial Martu life, personal histories, and contemporary mining interference with the important site of Kintyre, located within the heart of Martu Country- Karlamilyi national park.

Martu artists were part of the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation (WDLAC) 2021 AGM in Newman and unveiled the 5x3metre collaborative ‘Kintyre’ artwork to Martu Native Title holders and their families.  This was part of the Martu discussion about making a native title claim over Karlamilyi National park. Martu used the ‘Kintyre’ artwork to tell stories of great cultural importance and personal significance about this ngurra (Country, homeland), and to tell WDLAC to keep going with its work on getting this country back into Martu hands. The following day, Martu Elders and leaders showed and explained the ‘Kintyre’ work to WA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Hon Stephen Dawson.  Martu and WDLAC signed a shared statement of intent with the Minister, binding the Government and Martu to work together for Martu native title over Karlamilyi, as well as housing and community development reforms for Punmu, Kunawarritji and Parnngurr.

Kintyre is a claypan located just north of the Karlamilyi (Rudall River) region. During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) era, the site was a popular camping ground in the wantajarra (wet season), when the claypan filled with kapi (water). Today Kintyre is best known for its substantial uranium deposits, and the area has been developed for mining. Protest from traditional land owners in combination with a declining uranium market have resulted in the project being put on hold for the time being.

 

By , ago

111582102090

Kintyre

“Young and old gotta do ‘im togther- old people gotta learn the young fellas about that place. Country. Martumili (belonging to Martu).”

 – Wokka Taylor

Produced to be a part of FORM’s Tracks We Share project, Martu artists embarked the creation of a large-scale collaborative painting depicting the Country and stories of Kintyre. Martu filmmaker and FORM project officer Curtis Taylor, FORM project officer Greg Taylor/Annie McLoughlin and Martumili staff and artists travelled to Parnngurr to attend an intense period of art making and conversation. Under the tutelage and direction from their elders, young artists laid the groundwork for the painting, with elders adding layers of details and knowledge to these foundations. Created by 23 artists over 18 months, the resulting artwork brings together stories of jukurrpa (dreaming), pre-colonial Martu life, personal histories, and contemporary mining interference with the important site of Kintyre, located within the heart of Martu Country- Karlamilyi national park.

Martu artists were part of the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation (WDLAC) 2021 AGM in Newman and unveiled the 5x3metre collaborative ‘Kintyre’ artwork to Martu Native Title holders and their families.  This was part of the Martu discussion about making a native title claim over Karlamilyi National park. Martu used the ‘Kintyre’ artwork to tell stories of great cultural importance and personal significance about this ngurra (Country, homeland), and to tell WDLAC to keep going with its work on getting this country back into Martu hands. The following day, Martu Elders and leaders showed and explained the ‘Kintyre’ work to WA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Hon Stephen Dawson.  Martu and WDLAC signed a shared statement of intent with the Minister, binding the Government and Martu to work together for Martu native title over Karlamilyi, as well as housing and community development reforms for Punmu, Kunawarritji and Parnngurr.

Kintyre is a claypan located just north of the Karlamilyi (Rudall River) region. During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) era, the site was a popular camping ground in the wantajarra (wet season), when the claypan filled with kapi (water). Today Kintyre is best known for its substantial uranium deposits, and the area has been developed for mining. Protest from traditional land owners in combination with a declining uranium market have resulted in the project being put on hold for the time being.

 

By , ago

111582102089

Kintyre

“Young and old gotta do ‘im togther- old people gotta learn the young fellas about that place. Country. Martumili (belonging to Martu).”

 – Wokka Taylor

Produced to be a part of FORM’s Tracks We Share project, Martu artists embarked the creation of a large-scale collaborative painting depicting the Country and stories of Kintyre. Martu filmmaker and FORM project officer Curtis Taylor, FORM project officer Greg Taylor/Annie McLoughlin and Martumili staff and artists travelled to Parnngurr to attend an intense period of art making and conversation. Under the tutelage and direction from their elders, young artists laid the groundwork for the painting, with elders adding layers of details and knowledge to these foundations. Created by 23 artists over 18 months, the resulting artwork brings together stories of jukurrpa (dreaming), pre-colonial Martu life, personal histories, and contemporary mining interference with the important site of Kintyre, located within the heart of Martu Country- Karlamilyi national park.

Martu artists were part of the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation (WDLAC) 2021 AGM in Newman and unveiled the 5x3metre collaborative ‘Kintyre’ artwork to Martu Native Title holders and their families.  This was part of the Martu discussion about making a native title claim over Karlamilyi National park. Martu used the ‘Kintyre’ artwork to tell stories of great cultural importance and personal significance about this ngurra (Country, homeland), and to tell WDLAC to keep going with its work on getting this country back into Martu hands. The following day, Martu Elders and leaders showed and explained the ‘Kintyre’ work to WA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Hon Stephen Dawson.  Martu and WDLAC signed a shared statement of intent with the Minister, binding the Government and Martu to work together for Martu native title over Karlamilyi, as well as housing and community development reforms for Punmu, Kunawarritji and Parnngurr.

Kintyre is a claypan located just north of the Karlamilyi (Rudall River) region. During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) era, the site was a popular camping ground in the wantajarra (wet season), when the claypan filled with kapi (water). Today Kintyre is best known for its substantial uranium deposits, and the area has been developed for mining. Protest from traditional land owners in combination with a declining uranium market have resulted in the project being put on hold for the time being.

 

By , ago

111582102088

Kintyre

“Young and old gotta do ‘im togther- old people gotta learn the young fellas about that place. Country. Martumili (belonging to Martu).”

 – Wokka Taylor

Produced to be a part of FORM’s Tracks We Share project, Martu artists embarked the creation of a large-scale collaborative painting depicting the Country and stories of Kintyre. Martu filmmaker and FORM project officer Curtis Taylor, FORM project officer Greg Taylor/Annie McLoughlin and Martumili staff and artists travelled to Parnngurr to attend an intense period of art making and conversation. Under the tutelage and direction from their elders, young artists laid the groundwork for the painting, with elders adding layers of details and knowledge to these foundations. Created by 23 artists over 18 months, the resulting artwork brings together stories of jukurrpa (dreaming), pre-colonial Martu life, personal histories, and contemporary mining interference with the important site of Kintyre, located within the heart of Martu Country- Karlamilyi national park.

Martu artists were part of the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation (WDLAC) 2021 AGM in Newman and unveiled the 5x3metre collaborative ‘Kintyre’ artwork to Martu Native Title holders and their families.  This was part of the Martu discussion about making a native title claim over Karlamilyi National park. Martu used the ‘Kintyre’ artwork to tell stories of great cultural importance and personal significance about this ngurra (Country, homeland), and to tell WDLAC to keep going with its work on getting this country back into Martu hands. The following day, Martu Elders and leaders showed and explained the ‘Kintyre’ work to WA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Hon Stephen Dawson.  Martu and WDLAC signed a shared statement of intent with the Minister, binding the Government and Martu to work together for Martu native title over Karlamilyi, as well as housing and community development reforms for Punmu, Kunawarritji and Parnngurr.

Kintyre is a claypan located just north of the Karlamilyi (Rudall River) region. During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) era, the site was a popular camping ground in the wantajarra (wet season), when the claypan filled with kapi (water). Today Kintyre is best known for its substantial uranium deposits, and the area has been developed for mining. Protest from traditional land owners in combination with a declining uranium market have resulted in the project being put on hold for the time being.

 

By , ago

111582102087

Kintyre

“Young and old gotta do ‘im togther- old people gotta learn the young fellas about that place. Country. Martumili (belonging to Martu).”

 – Wokka Taylor

Produced to be a part of FORM’s Tracks We Share project, Martu artists embarked the creation of a large-scale collaborative painting depicting the Country and stories of Kintyre. Martu filmmaker and FORM project officer Curtis Taylor, FORM project officer Greg Taylor/Annie McLoughlin and Martumili staff and artists travelled to Parnngurr to attend an intense period of art making and conversation. Under the tutelage and direction from their elders, young artists laid the groundwork for the painting, with elders adding layers of details and knowledge to these foundations. Created by 23 artists over 18 months, the resulting artwork brings together stories of jukurrpa (dreaming), pre-colonial Martu life, personal histories, and contemporary mining interference with the important site of Kintyre, located within the heart of Martu Country- Karlamilyi national park.

Martu artists were part of the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation (WDLAC) 2021 AGM in Newman and unveiled the 5x3metre collaborative ‘Kintyre’ artwork to Martu Native Title holders and their families.  This was part of the Martu discussion about making a native title claim over Karlamilyi National park. Martu used the ‘Kintyre’ artwork to tell stories of great cultural importance and personal significance about this ngurra (Country, homeland), and to tell WDLAC to keep going with its work on getting this country back into Martu hands. The following day, Martu Elders and leaders showed and explained the ‘Kintyre’ work to WA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Hon Stephen Dawson.  Martu and WDLAC signed a shared statement of intent with the Minister, binding the Government and Martu to work together for Martu native title over Karlamilyi, as well as housing and community development reforms for Punmu, Kunawarritji and Parnngurr.

Kintyre is a claypan located just north of the Karlamilyi (Rudall River) region. During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) era, the site was a popular camping ground in the wantajarra (wet season), when the claypan filled with kapi (water). Today Kintyre is best known for its substantial uranium deposits, and the area has been developed for mining. Protest from traditional land owners in combination with a declining uranium market have resulted in the project being put on hold for the time being.

 

By , ago

111582102086

Kintyre

“Young and old gotta do ‘im togther- old people gotta learn the young fellas about that place. Country. Martumili (belonging to Martu).”

 – Wokka Taylor

Produced to be a part of FORM’s Tracks We Share project, Martu artists embarked the creation of a large-scale collaborative painting depicting the Country and stories of Kintyre. Martu filmmaker and FORM project officer Curtis Taylor, FORM project officer Greg Taylor/Annie McLoughlin and Martumili staff and artists travelled to Parnngurr to attend an intense period of art making and conversation. Under the tutelage and direction from their elders, young artists laid the groundwork for the painting, with elders adding layers of details and knowledge to these foundations. Created by 23 artists over 18 months, the resulting artwork brings together stories of jukurrpa (dreaming), pre-colonial Martu life, personal histories, and contemporary mining interference with the important site of Kintyre, located within the heart of Martu Country- Karlamilyi national park.

Martu artists were part of the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation (WDLAC) 2021 AGM in Newman and unveiled the 5x3metre collaborative ‘Kintyre’ artwork to Martu Native Title holders and their families.  This was part of the Martu discussion about making a native title claim over Karlamilyi National park. Martu used the ‘Kintyre’ artwork to tell stories of great cultural importance and personal significance about this ngurra (Country, homeland), and to tell WDLAC to keep going with its work on getting this country back into Martu hands. The following day, Martu Elders and leaders showed and explained the ‘Kintyre’ work to WA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Hon Stephen Dawson.  Martu and WDLAC signed a shared statement of intent with the Minister, binding the Government and Martu to work together for Martu native title over Karlamilyi, as well as housing and community development reforms for Punmu, Kunawarritji and Parnngurr.

Kintyre is a claypan located just north of the Karlamilyi (Rudall River) region. During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) era, the site was a popular camping ground in the wantajarra (wet season), when the claypan filled with kapi (water). Today Kintyre is best known for its substantial uranium deposits, and the area has been developed for mining. Protest from traditional land owners in combination with a declining uranium market have resulted in the project being put on hold for the time being.

 

By , ago

111582102085

Kintyre – 2021 collaborative

“Young and old gotta do ‘im togther- old people gotta learn the young fellas about that place. Country. Martumili (belonging to Martu).”

 – Wokka Taylor

Produced to be a part of FORM’s Tracks We Share project, Martu artists embarked the creation of a large-scale collaborative painting depicting the Country and stories of Kintyre. Martu filmmaker and FORM project officer Curtis Taylor, FORM project officer Greg Taylor/Annie McLoughlin and Martumili staff and artists travelled to Parnngurr to attend an intense period of art making and conversation. Under the tutelage and direction from their elders, young artists laid the groundwork for the painting, with elders adding layers of details and knowledge to these foundations. Created by 23 artists over 18 months, the resulting artwork brings together stories of jukurrpa (dreaming), pre-colonial Martu life, personal histories, and contemporary mining interference with the important site of Kintyre, located within the heart of Martu Country- Karlamilyi national park.

Martu artists were part of the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation (WDLAC) 2021 AGM in Newman and unveiled the 5x3metre collaborative ‘Kintyre’ artwork to Martu Native Title holders and their families.  This was part of the Martu discussion about making a native title claim over Karlamilyi National park. Martu used the ‘Kintyre’ artwork to tell stories of great cultural importance and personal significance about this ngurra (Country, homeland), and to tell WDLAC to keep going with its work on getting this country back into Martu hands. The following day, Martu Elders and leaders showed and explained the ‘Kintyre’ work to WA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Hon Stephen Dawson.  Martu and WDLAC signed a shared statement of intent with the Minister, binding the Government and Martu to work together for Martu native title over Karlamilyi, as well as housing and community development reforms for Punmu, Kunawarritji and Parnngurr.

Kintyre is a claypan located just north of the Karlamilyi (Rudall River) region. During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) era, the site was a popular camping ground in the wantajarra (wet season), when the claypan filled with kapi (water). Today Kintyre is best known for its substantial uranium deposits, and the area has been developed for mining. Protest from traditional land owners in combination with a declining uranium market have resulted in the project being put on hold for the time being.

 

By , ago