22124006287

Published by CompNet Systems on

Status: Stock

Mamu – Mischievous Spirits T-Shirt by Carlene Thompson

Carlene’s depiction of mamu has been told to her by her grandfather and grandmother. These mamu are the spirits of the ancestors who appear in the bush at night time. A mamu is a spirit which lives near waterholes. Mamu are usually depicted as bad spirits or monsters in traditional Pitjantjatjara stories, particularly those told to children by adults in order to scare them and thereby keep them close by and safe. Mamu can be dangerous especially for children, they are shape shifters and can appear like animals. Carlene’s mamu have scales, big fluffy ears, claws and a smile. When startled they make a growling sound like a nocturnal gecko called papangaurpa.

Our T-shirts our 100% cotton.

Original artwork created in Pukatja, APY Lands and screen printed by hand in Pathawilyangga/Glenelg, South Australia.

 

Categories: Ernabella Arts Inc.

Name: Carlene Thompson

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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