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Kipara and Kalaya – Bush Turkey and Emu

A tale of deceit! Emu, a father, had many children as is typical of emu. Bush Turkey was father to only one child. While out hunting they came across one another. Mournfully, Emu told Turkey that he had killed all his children and that Turkey should do the same. Turkey’s son protested! “No father! I am a good son! Don’t kill me!” But Turkey, feeling sorry for Emu, killed his only child. Later Turkey again saw Emu, but with his many children in tow. He was wild with anger and sadness. He told Emu that they should go hunting together. And when this came to pass he used his miru/woomera to hit and kill Emu. Then he chased Emu’s children for miles until they became exhausted and died.

Categories: Ernabella Arts Inc.

Name: Carlene Thompson

Language: Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara

Community: Pukatja

Biography:

Carlene is a senior woman and leading artist in the Ernabella community. At various times she has sat on the Board of Ernabella Arts and was the Chair for several years. She is currently a Board member of Ku Arts.

Carlene was born Carlene De Rose in Finke in 1950. She met her husband, Kunmanara (Kawaki) Thompson OAM, at De Rose Hill, and they were married there.  Her late husband was a highly regarded senior Pitjantjatjara man who was a major figure in the APY Land Rights Movement. Carlene and her husband had one son and five daughters, three of whom also work at the art centre.

Carlene started painting at the art centre in 2007 and quickly developed a very individual style, and in 2009 she began to concentrate on ceramics. Her work is contemporary while being based on Country. She often tells the story in her artworks of the creation being of her family's country, the kalaya (emu).

Carlene's art has been shown in many exhibitions both nationally and internationally. It has also been acquired for the Goulburn Regional Art Gallery Collection and the Queensland Art Gallery Collection. Carlene has been a finalist in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards three times. In 2019 Carlene had her first solo show Kalaya Ngura- Emu Country at Alcaston Gallery in Victoria, and in 2021 her first solo exhibition at Sabbia Gallery in Sydney.

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