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Tjukula/Waterholes

For the Pitjantjatjara people living in the desert, knowledge of their water sources was critical to their survival. This resulted in an intimate understanding of the landscape which continues today. Water is an essential element in the desert. These rock holes were particularly important during the dry season when most of the water holes and creeks dried up.  Deep familiarity with the topography of their country and the way rain would interact with the land ensured constant sources of water could be found. Knowledge of rock hole sites is passed on from generation to generation and revered by all Anangu (people).

Tjukula means rock-holes, which are found with surprising frequency in the Musgrave Ranges and country around Ernabella.  Between visits, Anangu would use a construction of rocks and spinifex to guard these important water sources from spoilage by feral and stock animals such as cattle, camels, horses and donkeys.

Categories: Ernabella Arts Inc.

Name: Tjulyata Kulyuru

Language: Pitjantjatjara

Community: Ernabella (Pukatja)

Biography:

Tjulyata is an early career artist who comes from a talented and respected family. Her father is the Ernabella pastor and her mother was a senior artist from the mission days who exceled in hand spinning natural wool and creating knitted garments. As a young girl Tjulyata used to come to the art centre and watch her mother doing batik work. Her aunt and both her sisters also painted at Ernabella Arts.

Tjulyata lives in Ernabella with her five young children. Since starting her art practise she has developed her own unique interpretation of tjukula (waterholes) which she depicts on both canvas and ceramics.

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