Alec Baker – Ngura
Ngura – by Alec Baker
Whiskey Tjukangku
Alec Baker – Ngura
Alec Baker
Peter Mungkuri
Peter Mungkuri
In the Anangu Ptijantjatjara Yangkunyjatjara Lands in the far north of South Australia, characterised by red dirt, dust, dry river beds and scrub, four internationally famous octogenarian artists depict their custodial country: every rockhole, waterhole, wiltja (shelter) and tree.  And where to find mai wiru (good food).  Ngura (country, place, home) is central to Aboriginal people’s spirituality, culture, origin and identity, and sense of belonging. The cultural integrity of the work evokes a connection that is compelling and injects a value that is both precious and sustaining.
This exhibition features a collection of paintings by these Traditional Custodians – including Peter Mungkuri, Whiskey Tjukangku, Alec Baker and Tiger Yaltangki,  painted at Iwantja Arts in the APY Lands in South Australia.  This is a link to an article about three of these artists which appeared in The Australian Newspaper last year:   http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/stockmen-artists-riding-high/story-e6frg8n6-1226391507171
Peter Mungkuri’s “Punu” (Wood), relating to the importance of water. The men have left after collecting punu and making artefacts. The centre of the painting is filled with water, rockholes and waterholes which are the lifeforce of the desert region. The arched shapes are wiltjas (shelters).
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“Wiltjas” Tiger Yaltangki has painted his country filled with trees. The arched shapes are wiltjas (shelters).
Alec Baker “Meeting Place” shows a good place to camp out. There is water where the creek flows into a waterhole and an abundance of mai wiru, good food.