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Ngayuku ngura

Emma Singer
Synthetic Polymer on Linen
200 x 149 cm
Mimili Maku Arts
MMK05-23

$7,800.00

My artwork holds the memories of my aunties, my mother, and grandmother, all the women that have taught me about country, and about our culture. When I paint I remember all those women and their words keep me strong. I don’t paint one specific storyline or site, but rather the many paths and journeys taken by my people, always following our storylines and movements of country. Some important elements in my paintings are the rock holes that carry fresh water, the waterways that connect them both above and below ground, the fields of spinifex that used to be everywhere, the campsites of my ancestors, and the paths they used to walk. Our culture has changed a lot over the past few generations, but I love to hear about the old times and always carry this knowledge of my ancestors whom knew to live off the land. I learned about the waterways and the natural rock holes from my grandmother, and that’s why I paint them today. To keep this knowledge strong even though times are changing. We don’t rely on finding these rock holes anymore to survive. But we do rely on our culture to stay strong, to stay proud. This is the story I want to tell with my work: Remembering the importance of our culture, our families, our connections to country to keep our spirits strong always.

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.