Father and Mother Emu travel together to Kanpi. The mother emu laid her eggs in Kanpi then went away forever, leaving the father to take care of the young emus. The father stayed with them and fed them, and he took them away with him to other lands such as Watarru and Fregon. The young emus grew strong and eventually they travelled back to Kanpi where the father died by Anangu spear. The young emus survived and lived on in Kanpi.
Bradley Tunkin paints the Kalaya (Emu) Tjurkurpa in a traditional style, passed down from his grandfather, the renowned artist Jimmy Baker. He resides on his family’s country at Kanpi – the place of important Kalaya (Emu) Stories, and dances the Kalaya (Emu) Inma (song/ceremony), passing his important stories and culture onto his children and grandchildren.
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.
