Anita Mbitjana Ratara is a senior artist at Hermannsburg Potters. Anita was ‘born bush’ in the alukura (women’s camp) near Hermannsburg. She is the mother of prominent potter Hayley Coulthard. Anita’s youngest daughter Alizha is an emerging artist. She attended the Hermannsburg Mission school, and later went on to work in the clinic. She also recalls making moccasins, or ‘fancy work’, for the missionaries. As a young woman, Anita taught herself to paint. She was taught pottery by Naomi Sharp in the early 1990s, when the pottery program was located at the outstations. Anita continues to reside mostly at her outstation, Ipalala. Anita mostly depicts Palm Valley in her work, of which she is a Traditional Owner. Palm Valley is Anita’s grandfather’s Country.
Desert Mob is presented annually in Mparntwe | Alice Springs on Arrernte Country.
On behalf of Desart’s staff and art centre members, the Executive Committee humbly and respectfully acknowledge the Arrernte Apmereke Artweye (Traditional Owners) and Kwertengerle (Traditional Managers) of Mparntwe.
Desart respectfully advises Aboriginal readers that this website may contain names, images and artworks of people who have passed away.
