In this work, Martha Protty interprets the Kungka Kutjara Tjukurpa (Two Women). Kungka Kutjara is a creation story following two sisters who travel through the desert leaving significant landmarks in their wake. Martha’s painting focuses on a significant cultural site just outside Kaltukatjara where the two sisters stopped to rest under two big shade trees. It also shows features of the striking desert landscape such as kapi (rock holes), purnu (trees) and puli (rocks).
As a senior law woman of the Kaltukatjara area, Martha Protty’s work draws significant inspiration from local landscape and Tjukurpa stories. Martha’s whole family have lived and travelled in the Kaltukatjara area for generations, and her paintings are a tribute to her significant cultural and historical contribution to her community. Martha was born south of Kaltukatjara at a rockhole, the name of which Martha cannot speak for cultural reasons. Her whole family are from Kaltukatjara country. Matha’s father’s country is Warakurna and her mother’s country Wingellina. Martha has been painting, weaving tjanpi and carving purnu for many years. She is a senior law woman and holds important Tjukurrpa songs for her country and sings inma (ceremony) songs continuously as she paints.
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.
