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Wilma Ngala Ross – My View Of Country

My grandmother, my mother, and myself come from the heart of the country,  Anmatyerr country.  My mother was born at the old Telegraph Station (old bungalow) Alice Springs.   

In 1979 I came to Ampilatwatja with my new husband Joe Morton, and I am still here.  I have raised six children in Ampilatwatja.  I always accompanied Joe on hunting trips and he would show me his country.

I was involved with the 80’s batik movement and instrumental in starting the painting activities in the early days.  I come from a long line of artists.  I enjoy spending my time painting.

This is the layered landscape of Alyawarr, Central Australia. Knowing your country is an important part of living in a remote community like Ampilatwatja. Knowing when and where to go hunting and gathering, knowing where there is ‘soakage’ (where you can dig for water), travelling with family for ceremonies, and maintaining a connection with the land.

“This is my country, my view of country.”

The community of Ampilatwatja made a conscious decision not to paint ‘altyerr’(dreaming stories). The artists paint their country where those stories sit.