Medium: Acrylic on canvas.
Description:
The artist depicts the rocks at Karrkurrutintja (Lake Mcdonald in Pintupi), located west of Kintore along the Western Australia/Northern Territory border.
Keturah depicts the puli puli (rocks) at Karrkurrutintja (Lake Macdonald in Pintupi), located west of Kintore along the Western Australia/Northern Territory border. Karrkurrutintja country is an important site of the Pilkati Tjukurrpa (Snake Dreaming) of Kaniya Kutjarra (two carpet snakes, two brothers, two Tjangalas). This story was passed down to her from her grandmother Narputta Nangala Jugadai, who was born there. Narputta was passed down this story from her father, Talaku Tjampitjinpa. Both Keturah’s grandmother and mother, Molly Jugadai painted this same country. Narputta was one of the founding members of Ikuntji Artists, and had been painting since the beginning of the desert painting movement in the 1970’s. Keturah’s grandmother and mother have since passed away, with Keturah being the only remaining daughter in this lineage of artist to still be painting this story.
Keturah has been inspired by the painting legacy and tutorage from her grandmother and mother, though has developed a distinctive style over her practice.
Keturah uses different colours and hues to depict the ways the puli puli change colours with the weather, especially at sunrise and sunset.
“The sand hills I paint are my mother’s story and the rocks I paint are my own story. My painngs are about my story and my mother’s… I like to paint; painng helps me forget my troubles. I paint every day. My Grandmother used to say to me when I was younger: “One day you will paint.” ”
Context:
This work was created as part of the 2021 French – Australian artist collaboration project Dessin du territoire – Territoire du dessin (Land drawing – Land of drawing).