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Wanti Kaja

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: Pauline Williams

Language: Manyjilyjarra

Community: Kunawarritji

Biography:

"I was born in Jigalong. My mum used to paint and I started doing the painting with her. We painted her Country, and her mother's Country; [permanent springs] Wirnpa and Yimirri, the Jukurrpa (Dreaming) stories for that Country. It's in the Percival Lakes area. I've never been there but I know those places because of painting with my mum. Both sides I do painting. My Dad's Country is all around Kunawarritji (Canning Stock Route Well 33) rockhole. Sometimes I paint that area. 

I also used to paint with my two aunties; Rosie [Mantararr (Muntararr)] Williams (dec.) and [Muni] Rita Simpson (dec.), my mother's sisters. My mum and my auntie's painting, that's the one I'm doing now- but my style is a little bit different. I feel proud and happy when someone buys my painting. I love painting. I come in every day." 

- Pauline Williams 

 

Pauline Williams, daughter of renowned Martumili Artist Jugarda (Dulcie) Gibbs (dec.), began painting at a young age with her mother and two aunts, the late Rosie Muntararr Williams and Muni Rita Simpson. In her work, Pauline often depicts her father's Country around Kunawarritji rockhole, and her mother and grandmother's Country in the Percival Lakes area.

While very much guided by the traditional knowledge and technical skills of her relatives, Pauline has developed her own style- particularly with regard to her vibrant palettes she employs to reflect the diversity of colours in Country.

Pauline has exhibited in several notable exhibitions, including Revealed: New and Emerging WA Aboriginal Artists (Fremantle Arts Centre, WA), The Jury Prize (Port Hedland Courthouse Gallery, WA), Cossack Art Awards (Cossack, WA), and Desert Mob (Araluen Art Centre, NT).

 

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