Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

Vincent Namatjira

Jeffrey Stewart This artwork is a depiction of a valued Martu. The artist, Owen John (OJ) Biljabu is a proud Martu man from the Western Deserts, which range from Newman to Kunawarritji. Traditionally, Martu artists are not known for portraiture, however OJ has chosen to use traditional acrylic painting techniques to Read more…

Nyilangkurr Nyilangkurr is a group of three large tali (sandhills) located between Kartarru (Canning Stock Route Well 24) and Tiwa (Canning Stock Route 26), and just east of Wantili, an important creation site. The traditional lands of the Martu people encompass the Great Sandy Desert and Rudall River regions of Western Australia, Read more…

Kinyu (Canning Stock Route Well 35) Kinyu (Canning Stock Route Well 35) is a small yinta (permanent spring) that was a popular camping ground during the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) era. The site is home to the ancestral mother dingo, who is both a generous provider and fierce protector of Read more…

Lunki (witchetty grub) Lunki (witchetty grubs) are the large, pinkish white, wood eating larvae of several moth species. During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) era, lunki were a reliable food source, forming a staple of the Martu diet, and today they remain equally popular. Lunki are eaten either raw or Read more…

Kunawarritji (Canning Stock Route Well 33) Kunawarritji is an important site in the Great Sandy Desert where multiple stories and histories intersect. Originally a spring water and major Martu pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) camping site, at the turn of the 20th century Kunawarritji was converted into a well along the Read more…

Bush Tucker (Luunki) “I make a painting and it’s a wild bush flower, desert flower! And bush tucker. I do painting for bush tucker and wild flower.”  – Danita Wise  Depicted in this work are a combination of desert flowers and traditional types of mayi (plant food). During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) period, Read more…

Wildflower “I make a painting and it’s a wild bush flower, desert flower! And bush tucker. I do painting for bush tucker and wild flower.”  – Danita Wise  Depicted in this work are a combination of desert flowers and traditional types of mayi (plant food). During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) period, Martu would Read more…

Wildflower “I make a painting and it’s a wild bush flower, desert flower! And bush tucker. I do painting for bush tucker and wild flower.”  – Danita Wise  Depicted in this work are a combination of desert flowers and traditional types of mayi (plant food). During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) period, Martu would Read more…

Kil-Kil (Kilykily, Canning Stock Route, Well 36) Kil-kil (Kilykily, Canning Stock Route Well 36) is a well located northeast of Kunawarritji Aboriginal Community. The site is known for its abundance of yuwinyji (Woollybutt grass), from which seeds were collected as a food source.  During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) period, Read more…