Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

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Minyarra

Minyarra (bush onion), otherwise known as jaliirpa or jurnta, are a favoured bush tucker amongst Martu, popular for their sweet, nutty taste and for the relative ease with which they are foraged. The minyarra plant is small and grass-like, with edible tubers at the root. Between January and June minyarra is typically collected in large quantities close to springs and salt lakes, and then shared and eaten over the following days. They can be eaten raw or cooked, and are harvested by first loosening the soil at their base with a pounding stone, and then pulling out the plant. The bulbs can also be stored for up to two years. 

During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) period, Martu would traverse very large distances annually in small family groups, moving seasonally from water source to water source, and hunting and gathering bush tucker as they went. Whilst desert life has moved away from mobile hunter-gatherer subsistence throughout the course of the twentieth century, bush tucker continues to be a significant component of the modern Martu diet. Hunting and gathering bush tucker remains equally valuable as an important cultural practice that is passed on intergenerationally. Though hunting and gathering implements have been modernised, methods of harvesting, tracking and the use of fire burning to drive animals from their retreats are still commonly practiced today.

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Jartuti

“Jartuti water place east of Parnngurr. In pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) days old people walked and hunted there, we went there recently with KJ (Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa) ranger mob, lovely place.” 

 – Beverley Rogers

Jartuti is a water source located close to Parnngurr Aboriginal Community (otherwise known as Cotton Creek), and is part of Beverley’s father’s ngurra (home Country, camp). The site is near to the home of the jangara (cannibal devil), spiritual beings from the Jukurrpa (Dreaming) era.

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Jartuti

“Jartuti water place east of Parnngurr. In pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) days old people walked and hunted there, we went there recently with KJ (Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa) ranger mob, lovely place.” 

 – Beverley Rogers

Jartuti is a water source located close to Parnngurr Aboriginal Community (otherwise known as Cotton Creek), and is part of Beverley’s father’s ngurra (home Country, camp). The site is near to the home of the jangara (cannibal devil), spiritual beings from the Jukurrpa (Dreaming) era.

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Wirlarra (Wilarra)

Wirlarra, the site depicted in this painting, lies on the eastern edge of a large salt lake, Nyayartakujarra (Lake Dora), near Punmu Aboriginal community. A distinctive group of small salt water pools are clustered together here. The water from these pools is known for its’ powerful healing properties, and the pools are still visited today by Martu to bathe cuts and sores. 

Wirlarra is also a term for ‘moon’ in Manyjilyjarra, and through the site’s Jukurrpa (Dreaming) narrative, the site is united with the moon in significance. It is said that at Wirlarra, the moon called to a family of dingoes; a mother, father and their large litter of dingo pups. The dingoes gathered at Wirlarra, where the moon cared for them and created a windbreak for the family to shelter. Here the dingoes scratched at the surface of the salt lake and created the cluster of salt water pools located there today. They lay down there. After a time, the dingoes continued travelling eastward toward the rising moon until they reached Kinyu (Well 35 on the Canning Stock Route), where they remained until all of the dingo pups had grown up. From Kinyu the family travelled further east with the moon.

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Emu Export Lager

In these reproduction prints of original paintings, Curtis Taylor subverts the concept of ‘Bush Tucker’, in depicting staple pantry items of the Martu diet, alongside familiar Australian food products. In his imagery, Curtis draws inspiration from the iconic Campbell’s Soup prints by Andy Warhol, which have become a recognisable symbol of Pop Art. Curtis’ art takes a unique twist, elevating everyday foods and items into vibrant expressions of contemporary Aboriginal culture, akin to traditional food sources valued by Martu. Curtis explores his relationship with food as a powerful symbol of shared experience, nostalgia, and food sovereignty- particularly when considered within the context of a cost-of-living crisis, which is felt particularly acutely in remote Aboriginal communities.

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Rice Cream

In these reproduction prints of original paintings, Curtis Taylor subverts the concept of ‘Bush Tucker’, in depicting staple pantry items of the Martu diet, alongside familiar Australian food products. In his imagery, Curtis draws inspiration from the iconic Campbell’s Soup prints by Andy Warhol, which have become a recognisable symbol of Pop Art. Curtis’ art takes a unique twist, elevating everyday foods and items into vibrant expressions of contemporary Aboriginal culture, akin to traditional food sources valued by Martu. Curtis explores his relationship with food as a powerful symbol of shared experience, nostalgia, and food sovereignty- particularly when considered within the context of a cost-of-living crisis, which is felt particularly acutely in remote Aboriginal communities.

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Log Cabin fin cut Tobacco

In these reproduction prints of original paintings, Curtis Taylor subverts the concept of ‘Bush Tucker’, in depicting staple pantry items of the Martu diet, alongside familiar Australian food products. In his imagery, Curtis draws inspiration from the iconic Campbell’s Soup prints by Andy Warhol, which have become a recognisable symbol of Pop Art. Curtis’ art takes a unique twist, elevating everyday foods and items into vibrant expressions of contemporary Aboriginal culture, akin to traditional food sources valued by Martu. Curtis explores his relationship with food as a powerful symbol of shared experience, nostalgia, and food sovereignty- particularly when considered within the context of a cost-of-living crisis, which is felt particularly acutely in remote Aboriginal communities.

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Winnie Blues

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Kidney Pie

In these reproduction prints of original paintings, Curtis Taylor subverts the concept of ‘Bush Tucker’, in depicting staple pantry items of the Martu diet, alongside familiar Australian food products. In his imagery, Curtis draws inspiration from the iconic Campbell’s Soup prints by Andy Warhol, which have become a recognisable symbol of Pop Art. Curtis’ art takes a unique twist, elevating everyday foods and items into vibrant expressions of contemporary Aboriginal culture, akin to traditional food sources valued by Martu. Curtis explores his relationship with food as a powerful symbol of shared experience, nostalgia, and food sovereignty- particularly when considered within the context of a cost-of-living crisis, which is felt particularly acutely in remote Aboriginal communities.

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Table Salt

In these reproduction prints of original paintings, Curtis Taylor subverts the concept of ‘Bush Tucker’, in depicting staple pantry items of the Martu diet, alongside familiar Australian food products. In his imagery, Curtis draws inspiration from the iconic Campbell’s Soup prints by Andy Warhol, which have become a recognisable symbol of Pop Art. Curtis’ art takes a unique twist, elevating everyday foods and items into vibrant expressions of contemporary Aboriginal culture, akin to traditional food sources valued by Martu. Curtis explores his relationship with food as a powerful symbol of shared experience, nostalgia, and food sovereignty- particularly when considered within the context of a cost-of-living crisis, which is felt particularly acutely in remote Aboriginal communities.