This is Sandhill, Rirrka (sandhill) Camp. Karen’s house and my house. That’s Karen (my daughter) and her little boy, and Dalissa (my granddaughter), her little boy and me standing at Sandhill in Ntaria.
That’s Mount Hermannsburg. I put trees and river, Lhara Pinta. It’s dry, not water. At creek, no water there. Little grass growing. And bird flying here.
Dawn Wheeler Ngala was born in 1953 in Ntaria (Hermannsburg). She is the daughter of Pastor Peter Buller, a Lutheran missionary of whom she has fond memories, and recalls learning to make music sticks from him. Dawn’s family lives at Rirrka (Sandhill) Camp in Ntaria and spends time visiting their nearby outstation – Rrirrkathathaka (Red Sand Hill). Dawn draws on the landscape around her, her love of her father’s country, whose memory has inspired her to maintain links to her Luritja heritage through her art practice. Dawn’s work is held in prominent public collections including at the Art Gallery of NSW and the National Gallery of Australia and was shown at the Indian Ceramics Triennale in 2024.
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.
