Frog holes are a recurring subject in Topsy Steppa Beasley’s oeuvre. These are the holes which desert frogs burrow to survive in the dry season.
Topsy Steppa-Beasley was born at Hatches Creek in the Davenport Ranges circa 1932, and is now one of the most senior painters living in Wutunugurra. She has been painting with the Epenarra artist collective for decades and has developed an intuitive and heavily textural painting style which she uses to depict a wide range of subjects, often focusing on particular species of flora and fauna. Topsy’s choice of subject has had significant influence on younger members of the Epenarra artists collective, many of whom have followed her lead in using art as a vessel for multigenerational knowledge sharing.
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.
