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Published by CompNet Systems on

‘Kungkarrangkalpa’ (The Seven Sisters / Pleiades)

‘Kungkarrangkalpa’ (The Seven Sisters / Pleiades) is an important Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) across the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. Many families hold knowledge for different parts of this story, and each community paints its own chapter according to Country and ancestral responsibility.

Angela’s paintings focus on the celestial aspect of the story — the moment the sisters move from the earth into the sky. The star cluster becomes the seven bright forms she paints: six surrounding one, often arranged like a shield pattern. This reflects the way the sisters move together, protect each other, and travel as a tight group while fleeing Wati Nyiru, who appears in the sky as Orion’s Belt.

Nyiru follows the sisters across Country, disguising himself with magic — turning into kampurarrpa (bush tomato), a yirli (wild fig), or even a tree — trying to tempt them. But the sisters see through his tricks, outwit him, and keep running. When the chase becomes too much, they rise into the sky, forming the Pleiades. Nyiru follows them, always behind, never close enough.

Angela expresses this story using bold, high-contrast colours and strong circular forms. Her shield-like shapes represent the sisters’ strength and unity, while the central star often marks the eldest sister — the one the others protect along the journey. Through her palette and composition, Angela brings the energy, movement, and brightness of the sky-world into her canvas.

This painting is a contemporary interpretation of a cultural story carried across generations, connecting sky, Country, and ancestral memory.

Categories: Papulankutja Artists

Name: Angela Lyons

Language: Ngaanyatjarra

Community: Papulankutja (Blackstone)

Biography:

Angela is one of seven siblings - six daughters - Mamie, Joy, Paula, Susan and Mildred and one son Darryl. Her parents were both Ngaanyatjarra with her mother born in Wanarn and her father in Yanka, north of Blackstone. Her mother’s maiden name was Mitchell.

Angela was born in Wingellina community, just East of Blackstone. Her and her family travelled on foot across the Ngaanyatjarra lands to visit different family members, sourcing their food from the bush along the way. They lived for periods of time in different remote communities including Warburton and Blackstone. Angela attended school in Kalgoorlie before coming back to Blackstone to live.

Angela has worked extensively as a ranger for 11 years across the Ngaanyatjarra Lands and has started painting recently at the art centre. She paints the Seven Sisters story given to her by her mother.

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