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Published by CompNet Systems on

Kapi Tjukurla (Tjukurla Rock holes)

Kapi Tjukurla is a sacred women’s site where the sisters came to drink water from the rock hole. Knowledge of where to find Kapi Tjukurla was handed down through generations as it is a significant source in times of drought.

The kapi across the lands vary in size from as large as a car to as small as a deep kitchen sink. They can be found buried in the flat rock surface on the ground, at the bottom of a waterfall or among the ranges where there is an expanse of flat rock surface. Yarnangu kept these rock holes clear of dirt build up, dead animals and debris so the water can remain drinkable. These rock holes are still only used specifically for drinking and cooking when people go out on country. 

The circles in the painting represent Kapi Tjukurla. The lines connecting the circles are the creeks, streams or paths the water takes when it rains.

Categories: Papulankutja Artists

Name: Sarah Josephine Lane

Language: Ngaanyatjarra

Community: Blackstone

Biography:

Sarah was born in Warburton to mother Freda Lane (nee Forbes) and father Paddy Lane. She has lived most of her life in Papulankutja (Blackstone) apart from schooling in Norseman and then Esperance on the south coast of Western Australia. She lived at Fairhaven whilst attending secondary school.

Her mother was one of the first artists to start painting at the art centre, she started when it was still a Women’s Centre delivering Health and Aged Care (HAC) services. “I was working with my mum, she was painting at HAC. I always watched her, she always made paintings.”

For a long time Sarah looked after her ageing mother in Papulankutja before Freda went to live in Wanarn Nursing Home where she resides now.

Sarah has five adult children who all live in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, three daughters and two sons. Her first husband has passed away and her second husband Lawrence Mitchell is also an artist.

Sarah’s father was from Mantamaru, it was his mother’s country. Her mother was born at Wirrju rockhole just east of Papulankutja and had five sisters from eldest to youngest, Topsy, Doren, Freda, Shirley, May and Stella.

Sarah enjoys making arts and crafts and has been an active tjarnpi (grass) weaver and also makes purnu (wood) carvings and gumnut seed jewellery. Sarah's art practice themes are Seven sisters, Tjitji Kutjara (The story of two boys from the country around Jameson), and Tali (sand hill).

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