This is the story about collecting tatu (gumnuts) to make jewellery. All the ladies go out in the Troopy to collect tatu in the big Country. We take the old Papulankutja road west of Irrunytju, following the creek looking for the eucalyptus trees. You must look around the base of the trees to see if the tatu have fallen on the ground. We are looking for the new fresh tatu. All the ladies have a container, a bucket or billy to collect tatu. Sometimes we collect punu (wood) on the drive back home. We make a waru (fire) and sit together using hot wire pokers to create patterns on the tatu and to make holes to thread the tatu into necklaces.
Sally Ann Wipana Foster belongs to the Pitjantjatjara and Ngaanyatjarra language and cultural groups. Her mother was a highly respected elder from the Ngaanyatjarra Lands and her father, Wilitjiri Wilton Foster was instrumental in the Pitantjatjara Land Rights Movement in the 1970’s. Sally is a dynamic artist who works across a variety of mediums including painting and sculpture. She has exceptional bush skills creating innovative works in punu (wood) carving, tjanpi (grass) sculpture and painted tartu (seed) work. Her canvas work depicts narratives of everyday life and the country around Irrunytju community.
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.
