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Kira Kiro Country

“This painting shows the country before the fires and before people started changing the environment.”  

The country is alive with Madjal (Grasses) – Watja (Leaves) – Yulu (Bush Flowers) – Kanandur (Pandanus)- Kulalar (Vines) surrounding a rock hole near the sea.  The colours of flowers and leaves are reflected in the waters. Striated rocks surround the water hole.

Mary’s work is inspired by the rich environment around her and depicts a record of her botanical knowledge. Her images are made up of a myriad of small brushstrokes in layers to represent her vast botanical knowledge describing bush foods and medicines. 

Categories: WARINGARRI ABORIGINAL ARTS

Name: Mary Muljay Punchi Clement

Language: Kwini

Community: Kalumburu

Biography:

My bush name is Muljay. "My father found me" at Ngarrandhu on the turtle, that’s my totem. He was a policeman tracker who used to bring parents and their kids back to the mission. He found my mother out there (in the bush) and carried her to the mission on horse back with him. They were both married already but they fell in love. I used to work in the convent looking after the sick kids but now I’m a Grandmother and I look after a lot of kids on the community." Mary painted ceremony and events, dancing and hunting as well as botanical themes, not limited to plants on land, but also fresh water and salt water aquatic plants known as food sources for sea creatures, an important part of Kalumburu culture. As a community Elder she held a wealth of knowledge regarding her cultural traditions which is deeply missed.

Mary Punchi Clement passed away in 2016.

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