| Artist | Mitakiki Women's Collaborative |
|---|---|
| Title | Seven Sisters |
| Year | 2022 |
| Medium | Acrylic on linen |
| Dimensions | 197 × 198 cm |
| Art Centre | Tjala Arts → |
Out of stock
Mitakiki Women's Collaborative
Naomi Kantjuriny is a prolific painter who has been working at Tjala Arts (formerly Minymaku) Arts since 2001, and is also an excellent hunter, weaver and wood carver. She is recognised for her knowledge of the Tjukurpa stories. Naomi’s mother’s Dreaming is Malu (kangaroo). Naomi is also a Ngangkari – a traditional healer.
Tjimpayi Presley is an artist with Tjala Arts who learned to paint from her mother, Tjampawa Katie Kawiny, a prolific artist and important cultural leader in Amata. Tjimpayi is also known for her punu woodblocks.
Mona Mitakiki Shepherd started painting with Tjurma Arts and Crafts in 1998. After a long break she returned to painting at Tjala Arts (formerly Minymaku Arts) in mid-2003. Mona’s husband, the late Michael Mitakiki also painted briefly at the art centre.
Artist statement
Together forming the Mitakiki Women’s Collaborative, Naomi Kantjuriny, Mona Mitakiki and Tjimpayi Presley paint kapi tjukurla (rock holes) that relate to the Kungkarangkalpa Tjukurpa. This story involves the Seven Sisters being chased across country by a bad man (Wati Nyiru).The wise elder sisters protect and teach the younger ones, keeping them from falling for his tricks. Wati Nyiru can change shape into different rock formations and landmarks. These sites remain part of the landscape and are important Anangu ceremonial places. The Seven Sisters story is very important to Anangu culture, as a story about family and culture. Mona, Tjimpayi and Naomi were taught to paint by late senior artist Kunmanara Katie Kawiny, and continue to keep her story alive through their practice for future generations.