September 2025

Cecily Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters Dreaming)

Cecily’s painting depicts an important Ngaanyatjarra women’s story, Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters Dreaming). Seven sisters were travelling from Warnan to Warakurna. A wati (man) spied on them whilst they were digging deep water holes for drinking water. He wanted to make the youngest one his wife but the sisters ran away and hid from him. They then crossed the country passing through sand hills and dug for water as there was none in the creeks. Eventually they reached Docker River where they were safe from the man. Cecily Yates was born in Mount Davis near Irrunytju and now lives in Warakurna with her daughters and partner. Irrunytju is Cecily’s father’s country and she regularly travels there to visit her extended family.

Dorcas – Mother’s Story

This painting is about Dorcas Bennett’s Mother’s country. Her mother, Nyurapayia Nampitjinpa, “Mrs Bennett” painted extensively on this subject and here Dorcas reflects on her mother’s work and country and her own connection to this part of the lands. 

Minyma Tjuta (Nerida Giles Martin)

This painting is about women who travel around, everywhere. The colours Nerida depicts represent the vibrant colours of the desert and the wildflowers. This country is Nerida’s mamaku (father’s) country, north of Tjukurla.

Minyma Lungkata Tjukurrpa

This painting is a depiction of the Minyma Lungkata (mother blue tongue lizard) Tjukurrpa site just out of Warakurna Community. “Many live young lungkata emerged from the mother lungkata and scattered over the land close to Warakurna on the Great Central Road. They still exist there today, you can see the mother and her children.” says Winifred Reid. The Lungkata is in her Mother’s homeland.  The lungkata breeding season is from Birriya-pirriya (Spring) through to Kurli (Summer). 

Pukurlpatulatju Palyara Pirrtja

Pukurlpatulatju Palyara Pirrtja’ we are happy to make painting. Warakurna Artists paintings are fresh, diverse and reflect each artist’s unique style, stories and powerful connection to country. Warakurna is a remote desert community situated approximately nine hours west of Alice Springs. The township of approximately one hundred and eighty people is nestled amongst the spectacular Rawlinson Ranges. Warakurna Artists art centre is one of the newest such developments in the Ngaanyatjarra region opening in March 2005. Warakurna Artists nurtures and promotes arguably one of most significant art movements in Australia. It is a positive and powerful example of Aboriginal businesses managed and governed by artists and community elders ensuring the wealth of talent and economic returns are retained in the community. When you purchase artwork from an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre, you contribute significant benefits to Yarnangu communities and beyond.

Elaine Papulankutja Dreaming

Elaine is a painter from Papulankutja (Blackstone) who now resides at Wanarn Aged Care. Elaine paints tjukurrpa from her country of Papulankutja, which includes songlines for associated tjukurrpa of Wati Kutjarra and Lirru – carpet python dreaming.

Warakurna Artists works closely with Wanarn Aged Care Facility to conduct painting sessions with elderly patients. This program nurtures artists who have contributed largely to one of the most significant art movements in Australia. The joyous communal activity has a myriad of positive benefits such as reliving boredom and frustration. Health staff report that this diversional therapy helps to reduce patient’s drug intake and the old people rejoice in sharing and passing on their important Tjukurrpa with their families who visit them when the workshops are conducted. Warakurna Artists is a positive and powerful example of Aboriginal businesses managed and governed by artists and community elders ensuring the wealth of talent and economic returns are retained in the community.

Elaine Papulankutja Dreaming

Elaine is a painter from Papulankutja (Blackstone) who now resides at Wanarn Aged Care. Elaine paints tjukurrpa from her country of Papulankutja, which includes songlines for associated tjukurrpa of Wati Kutjarra and Lirru – carpet python dreaming.

Warakurna Artists works closely with Wanarn Aged Care Facility to conduct painting sessions with elderly patients. This program nurtures artists who have contributed largely to one of the most significant art movements in Australia. The joyous communal activity has a myriad of positive benefits such as reliving boredom and frustration. Health staff report that this diversional therapy helps to reduce patient’s drug intake and the old people rejoice in sharing and passing on their important Tjukurrpa with their families who visit them when the workshops are conducted. Warakurna Artists is a positive and powerful example of Aboriginal businesses managed and governed by artists and community elders ensuring the wealth of talent and economic returns are retained in the community.