Yarrkalpa - Hunting Ground, Parnngurr Area, 2014 - Image courtesy Martumili Artists © The Artists

Kumpaya Girgirba, Ngamaru Bidu, Thelma Judson, Reena Rogers, Yuwali Janice Nixon, Karnu Nancy Taylor, Nola Taylor
Yarrkalpa – Hunting Ground, Parnngurr Area, 2014
Acrylic on linen / synthetic polymer paint on linen
Image courtesy Martumili Artists © The Artists

‘People don’t like painting alone’ – Ngalangka Nola Taylor, Martu artist.
Martu Art from the Far Western Desert brings together a selection of collaborative paintings by 29 Martu artists of their Ngurra (Country), a vast area of the Great Sandy, Little Sandy and Gibson Deserts in Western Australia. Depicting in intricate detail the desert landscape and its stories, the artworks illustrate the Martu people’s intimate knowledge of the region.

The vibrant paintings are the result of highly social and collaborative processes that involve older and younger artists coming together to paint and talk, tell stories and sing, remember and educate, ensuring that Martu history, culture and knowledge is passed on to future generations.

The artists are: Ngamaru Bidu, Jakayu Biljabu, Yikartu Bumba, Patricia Butt, Maywokka May Chapman, Nyanjilpayi Nancy Chapman, Jugarda Dulcie Gibbs, Kumpaya Girgirba, Noelene Girgirba, Thelma Judson, Noreena Kadibil, Mulyatingki Marney, Yuwali Janice Nixon, Nora Nungabar, Reena Rogers, Anya Judith Samson, Dadda Samson, Muni Rita Simpson, Kathleen Sorensen, Karnu Nancy Taylor, Muuki Taylor, Ngalangka Nola Taylor, Wokka Taylor, Bugai Whyoulter, Muntararr Rosie Williams, Natasha Williams, Sonya Williams, Nora Wompi, Marjorie Yates.

Source: Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney