| Artist | Doris Thomas |
|---|---|
| Title | Old Village Titjikala |
| Year | 2021 |
| Medium | Acrylic on linen |
| Dimensions | 60.5 × 90 cm |
| Art Centre | Tangentyere Artists → |
Out of stock
Doris Thomas
Doris Thomas, also known as Arlyetilhe, was born south of Mparntwe (Alice Springs) at Deep Well Station. She later relocated to Maryvale Station which became Titjikala community. Currently residing in Mparntwe, Doris joined Tangentyere Artists in 2010. She is sophisticated in both mark making and composition, using her animated figures and varied colour palette to tell her stories dynamically and clearly.
She paints iconic scenes from her lived experiences, providing snapshots into life on stations and in community. These scenes lay bare the realities of being forced off one’s land and document the transition of Titjikala community from the old days to now. Through her paintings she recounts stories from her childhood; her father’s cameleering, the first tin sheds built in Titjikala and lining up for rations with a flour bag. Grace’s paintings also capture the present day; the hive of activity at Titjikala shop on pension day and cruising around in motorcars.
Her work is held by the Art Gallery of South Australia, National Gallery of Victoria and Artbank as well as housed in many private collections.
Artist statement
Old Village Titjikala when I was young. I been growing up there and staying with the grandmas with the humpies. Parents were working on the Station [Maryvale]. We all sitting down and eating or moving round, doing chores. Lot of papa [dogs]. Camels tethered in the sandhill behind camp, just waiting for next run to the railway siding, bringing supplies back to the station. Papa everywhere being happy. Kids there. Everyone sit around camp fires and talk. Village was some new shed and some old humpies. One crow hangs around waiting for food scraps on top of that humpy. Wildflowers there. All the wildflowers, pink one, blue and then yellow flowers on that sandhill. Irretye (wedge-tailed eagles) in the sky. They belong there. That’s their Country too. Those were happy days in the old village.