Papulankutja Artists

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Wati Kutjarra – Janet Forbes

This is the story of two powerful magicians who came to the Ngaanyatjarra Lands from far away to the west;

‘These two men are always together, always camping together. They do all sorts of tricks when they travel across the lands as they stop from place to place. When they reached ‘Wirtapi Wara’ (Long Black or Blackstone Range) they argued about which way to go around. One went around the south side and the other the north side.

At a distance it seemed they didn’t recognise each other or perhaps they were just pretending not to recognise each other! It is also said that at Papulankutja they tricked each other by changing their appearance at the same time so they had no chance to recognise each other. The name Papulankutja comes from the Ngaanyatjarra word meaning, ‘to stare without recognising each other’.

‘They usually took the form of goanna but they could turn into other animals as well. Finally, when they got to Kaltukatjara (Docker River) they had become so arrogant that without realising they walked straight into some local men’s business even though they were warned by the local women. The goanna men led themselves blindly to their fate”.

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Kungkarrangkalpa (Seven Sisters)

‘Kungkarrangkalpa’ (The Seven Sisters or Pleaides) is significant Tjukurrpa (dreamtime). Its origins you may be familiar with in astronomy and its connection to ‘Wati Nyiru’ (Magic Man or Orion).  The roots of this dreaming stems across indigenous groups around the world. The Australian Aboriginal songline is one part to the whole dreaming which can be traced all around the world. The ladies of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands depict their significant chapter and understanding of the journey of the sisters. The different versions of this story depend on where you live and the significance’s of local Tjukurrpa places.

Nyiru fell in love with the sisters but he was of the wrong skin group to marry, but he still pursued them on their journey. The sisters travel across the land to escape Nyiru’s unwanted attentions, but he is persistent and always finds them. There are significant land forms which can be sited today that evidence this dreaming. As Nyiru is chasing the sisters he tries to catch them by using magic to turn into the most tempting kampurarrpa (bush tomato) and the most beautiful Yirli (wild fig tree), for them to eat and camp under. However, the sisters are knowledgeable of his magic and too clever for Nyiru who they outwit again and again. They go hungry and run through the night rather than be caught by him. As the journey continues, Nyiru gets so frustrated at the wit of the sisters that he uses his magic to make the oldest sister sick to try and get closer to her. The other sisters rescue the big sister and nurse her back to health. It is said he also captures the youngest sister, but with the help of the oldest sister, she escapes back to her sisters who are waiting for her. Eventually, the sisters fly into the sky to escape Nyiru, forming the constellation. Nyiru felt lonely, longing for the sisters who were so far away. Nyiru used his magic to go to the sky, forever in pursuit.

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Rockholes Nora Davidson

This series of screenprints has its base around the telling of those stories starting with simple lines, on paper, canvas or in the red earth. All the stories told through visual mediums start in this way
Nora shows her country which has important rock-holes throughout. The area is known as Multju.

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Kungkarrangkalpa Indulrungkalpa (seven sisters, Bush medicine)

In “Kungkarrangkalpa, Indulrungkalpa” (Seven Sisters, Bush Medicine), Anawari intertwines the Seven Sisters narrative with the art of bush medicine. Depicting special leaves and shrubs with thre circular technique used to skillfully brewed into tea or crafted into ointment.

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Kungkarrangkalpa (Seven Sisters)

‘Kungkarrangkalpa’ (The Seven Sisters or Pleaides) is significant Tjukurrpa (dreamtime). Its origins you may be familiar with in astronomy and its connection to ‘Wati Nyiru’ (Magic Man or Orion).  The roots of this dreaming stems across indigenous groups around the world. The Australian Aboriginal songline is one part to the whole dreaming which can be traced all around the world. The ladies of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands depict their significant chapter and understanding of the journey of the sisters. The different versions of this story depend on where you live and the significance’s of local Tjukurrpa places.

Nyiru fell in love with the sisters but he was of the wrong skin group to marry, but he still pursued them on their journey. The sisters travel across the land to escape Nyiru’s unwanted attentions, but he is persistent and always finds them. There are significant land forms which can be sited today that evidence this dreaming. As Nyiru is chasing the sisters he tries to catch them by using magic to turn into the most tempting kampurarrpa (bush tomato) and the most beautiful Yirli (wild fig tree), for them to eat and camp under. However, the sisters are knowledgeable of his magic and too clever for Nyiru who they outwit again and again. They go hungry and run through the night rather than be caught by him. As the journey continues, Nyiru gets so frustrated at the wit of the sisters that he uses his magic to make the oldest sister sick to try and get closer to her. The other sisters rescue the big sister and nurse her back to health. It is said he also captures the youngest sister, but with the help of the oldest sister, she escapes back to her sisters who are waiting for her. Eventually, the sisters fly into the sky to escape Nyiru, forming the constellation. Nyiru felt lonely, longing for the sisters who were so far away. Nyiru used his magic to go to the sky, forever in pursuit.

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Lukarrara Tjukurrpa

In this artwork Margie has painted Lukarrara Tjukurrpa (Desert Fringe Rush Seed Dreaming). This Tjukurrpa comes from a place north of Yuendumu in the Northern Territory where Margie is from.

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Kungkarrangkalpa Indulrungkalpa (seven sisters, Bush medicine)

In “Kungkarrangkalpa, Indulrungkalpa” (Seven Sisters, Bush Medicine), Anawari intertwines the Seven Sisters narrative with the art of bush medicine. Depicting special leaves and shrubs with thre circular technique used to skillfully brewed into tea or crafted into ointment.

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Seven Sisters travelling Map

Starting from the large circle on the right hand side. Wialla in South Australia, nr Port Augusta from there to Lake 7 Days Lake , still in SA. From there across the border to Juntjekarra the next camp is Pujaytjo( this place is named after a pod with seeds that are eaten), then on to Kulal.
From there on to Mr Walkers place Tjukarrtjala and then on to Kuru Ala. From the large rock with the snake under the cave, they flew to Kulrrura. After they traveled to Kungka Nganpi where they flew away again.
Eventually they finish in Docker River, often they go up to the sky, trying to hide from that man.

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Sharon Doolan – My Grandfather’s Country

This painting depicts Sharon’s Grandfather’s country. This place is in the Witura National Park on the Northern Territory and South Australia border just south of Finke. This area is a beautiful place with plenty of water. There are many trees, lakes and swimming holes.

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Wanampi Piuyl Well (Snake Well)

The Snake Well is in the Piuyl Mountains, near Warburton. It is where four Water snake people emerged from a hole in the ground and headed out in four different directions. This story is linked to the tales of the famous water snake woman, Kuniya, who ends up at Uluru.