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Ngayuku Walka / My Design

Walka means design or pattern. Artists use this title to describe artworks that are pattern based rather than descriptive or telling a story.

Categories: Ernabella Arts Inc.

Name: Vivian Pingkayi Thompson


Language: Pitjantjatjara


Community: Pukatja


Biography:

Vivian was born in Alice Springs and has lived all her life in Ernabella. She went to school at nearby Kenmore Park and then moved to Adelaide for high school, attending Wiltja School in Woodville. Vivian is currently a Board member of Ernabella Arts.

Her father, Kunmanara (Kawaki) Thompson, was a highly regarded senior Pitjantjatjara man who was very important in the Land Rights Movement. Her mother, Carlene, is a senior Ernabella artist, and her sisters Marissa and Anne are both highly talented ceramic artists. Vivian is the mother of three children and she is also a grandmother.

Vivian first started creating artwork while in school, and she also learnt the traditional way of milpatjunanyi (telling stories in the sand).

Vivian has been painting at the art centre since 2004, and began working with ceramics in 2009. That year she was part of the Remote Communities Ceramic Project, and did a residency at ANU's Ceramic Workshop.

In 2009 Vivian’s work was acquired by the National Gallery of Australia.

 


© the artist / art centre