Ngayuku ngura – My country, Nturiya

$18,000.00

I paint the landscape, my home Country of Nturiya (Ti Tree).A long time ago, long before us, my ancestors lived on this country. They knew all about how to live on country; where they could find water holes, food, and places to shelter with their family. They passed this knowledge down, daughters to daughters, sons to sons, through the generations to us. I feel happy to painting my country, and proud to tell the stories of my ancestors. Through my painting I’m teaching my daughters and grandchildren too. I’m doing this for my family-it’s all about my family.

Barbara Mbitjana Moore depicts her beloved Anmatyerr Country, offering aerial perspectives of the landscape meticulously recalled from memory. Rendered in sweeping arcs of colour Barbara portrays the undulating landscapes, rock formations, and water holes in the environment, acknowledging a rich connection to country which transcends geographic understanding, and which is deeply rooted in belonging, being, and ancestral significance.

Barbara grew up in Ti Tree in the Northern Territory and moved to Amata to live with her husband. Barbara began to paint at Tjala Arts in 2003, and is committed to her painting practice, now working at the art centre on a daily basis. Her command of large-scale canvases, saw her receive the prestigious General Painting Award at the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award in 2012. She has been a multiple finalist in the Awards at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, and the Wynne Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. In 2019 Barbara had her first solo show and residency at the Kluge Ruhe Collection of Aboriginal Art at the University of Virginia.