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Institutional Groups

“This painting represents the different aboriginal groups placed or forced into the New Norcia Orphanage in the 1900’s.”

– Joan Lever

Martumili Artists work with over three hundred artists from remote Martu Aboriginal communities, including Punmu, Parnngurr, Kunawarritji, Jigalong, Irrungadji (Nullagine), and Warralong, as well as from the Parnpajinya (Newman) gallery and studio spaces. Known for their diverse, energetic, and unmediated painting styles, their works reflect the dramatic geography and scale of their homelands. Each artist, however, brings a unique approach to their craft.

Younger Martu artists often start painting alongside their parents, grandparents, and extended family, which fosters an organic learning process. This not only involves mastering painting techniques but also understanding specific locations, family histories, traditional ways of life, bush tucker, and Jukurrpa (Dreaming). Over time, with encouragement from their peers, they develop their own distinct styles and explore unique painting techniques and subject matter. In this work the artist brings a contemporary, evolving perspective to their work.

Categories: Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

Name: Joan Lever

Biography:

"Mum was in Moore River Settlement from when she was a young girl, but not for terribly long because she went to New Norcia. Then she left, that’s when she went to Moora, and that’s where she had me and the other kids. Two sisters and three brothers. I’m the oldest girl.

We lived around Moore River Settlement for a long time. Then me and my brothers and sisters were placed in the mission at New Norcia. The Native Welfare checked on all the families to place the children in St. Joseph’s orphanage at New Norcia. I would see my mother about three times a year. She’d take us out to the shop then have to take us back. I think the institution didn’t want to lose you. Everything was tough.

I got educated at the orphanage. At school my favourite subject was art. We used to draw and paint landscapes. Mainly painting. In the last few years, when I finished grade 7, that’s when you were put to work. We all worked in the laundry, all the big girls. I worked there at the laundry about three years, then left when I was fifteen.

Then I lived in Dongara for a couple of years, where I met my husband. We moved to Marble Bar. My daughter and my son were born in Marble Bar. I kept painting when I went to Marble Bar. I would paint what I saw there, mostly the scenery. I painted with another lady there, she taught me some things.

It's nice therapy painting, everything sort of goes on with the canvas."

- Joan Lever

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