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This photograph is part of a series of work that photographer Tamisha Williams executed in 2019, capturing her ngurra (home) in Parnpajinya. Parnpajinya is a small Aboriginal community adjacent to the town of Newman. 

The Western Desert term ‘ngurra’ is hugely versatile in application. Broadly denoting birthplace and belonging, ngurra can refer to a body of water, a camp site, a large area of Country, or even a modern house. People identify with their ngurra in terms of specific rights and responsibilities, and the possession of intimate knowledge of the physical and cultural properties of one’s Country. This knowledge is traditionally passed intergenerationally through family connections. Country for Martu is full of memory; not just the memory of their own movement through it, but also of their family. As summarised by Ngalangka Nola Taylor, “painting the ngurra, they do it to remember their connections.” 

Painting ngurra, and in so doing sharing the Jukurrpa (Dreaming) stories and physical characteristics of that place, has today become an important means of cultural maintenance. Physical maintenance of one’s ngurra, like cultural maintenance, ensures a site’s wellbeing, and is a responsibility of the people belonging to that area.  Here Tamisha has reimagined the depiction of ngurra through the camera lens, providing the viewer with an intimate vantage point, and celebrating the safety and comfort Tamisha feels in her home.

Categories: Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

Name: Tamisha Williams

Language: Manyjilyjarra

Biography:

" I was born in Newman hospital. Mum, Dad, Nanna and Pop lived in Jigalong before, but they moved into town before I was born. I’m one of seven children. I grew up in Newman , living with my mum and dad and my brothers and sisters- this is my home. I did my schooling in Newman at the yellow school [Newman Primary School and Newman Senior High School].

I was staying with my family in Punmu [Aboriginal community] when I was a bit young, with my uncle and aunty. I like to travel but I worry about home.

My Nanna and Pop used to take us out hunting for bush tucker. I’d help them make a fire and tea. Me and Pop would go out to the swamp area between Newman and Kumarina. Nan, Pop, Mum and Dad would tell funny stories about our family and make me laugh.

I started going to Martumili since when Gabe [Gabrielle Sullivan] was working there. Some of my family was painting there- Marianne [Burton] and Jakayu [Biljabu]. I used to come and watch them. I was maybe ten or eleven. I came with my brother Bamba [Corban Clause Williams] and some of the girls like Janita [Angie] and Sarafina [Mintern]. I just started painting, making art and then I started working there around 2014.  I'm still working there now. Sometimes I paint a little bit too, just painting whatever's in my head. I like painting, looking at the old people's painting, and helping the old people."

- Tamisha Williams

 

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