| Artist | Tjulyata Kulyuru |
|---|---|
| Title | Tjukula (Waterholes) |
| Year | 2022 |
| Medium | Acrylic on linen |
| Dimensions | 84 × 169 cm |
| Art Centre | Ernabella Arts → |
Out of stock
Tjulyata Kulyuru
Tjuyata Kulyuru is an early career artist who comes from a family of artists. Her mother was a senior artist at Pukatja (Ernabella) from the mission days and exceled in hand spinning sheep wool and creating knitted and crocheted fashion. Her two older sisters are acclaimed artists Amanda Kulyuru and Unurupa Nami Kulyuru. Her father is the Ernabella pastor Graham Kulyuru. Tjulyata’s work was first exhibited in 2020 in Nganampa ngura-nguru nyurampa ngurakutu (From our place to your place) at Aboriginal Contemporary in Brussels.
Artist statement
Tjulyata paints a very important story about tjukula (waterholes). Pitjantjatjara people living in the desert have an intimate understanding of the landscape which continues today. Deep familiarity with the topography of their country and the way rain would interact with the land ensured constant sources of water could be found. Tjukula are found with surprising frequency in the Musgrave Ranges. Between visits, Anangu people use rocks and spinifex constructions to guard these from spoilage by animals and, particularly in more recent times, from feral and stock animals; cattle, camels, horses and donkeys.