Description
Details
- Type: Line Etching
- Edition: 99
- Paper: Magnani Pescia 300gsm White
- Size: 330 mm x 495 mm (image) and 560 x 760 (paper)
- Printer: Basil Hall, Basil Hall Editions Darwin, NT 2002
Story
This story is for the Napurrula and Nakamarra women (aunts and nieces) and Jupurrurla and Jakamarra men (fathers and sons) skin groups. The painting tells the Jukurrpa or Dreaming story about the women following the tracks of the bush pigeon, Kurlukuku, in order to find and gather grass seeds. The pigeon gathers the seeds that have fallen to the ground while the women gather seeds from the long stems and use them to make damper. The seeds were collected in coolamons and taken home to be sorted ready for grinding. The ground seeds are then ready to be made in to damper. The elongated oval shapes in the centre of the print represent coolamons in which the women are collecting the stems and grains. They also represent the dampers the women cook. Along the outside Rosie has depicted trees and clap sticks that are partially obscured by the design. These music sticks are used when Rosie sings and dances this particular Dreaming during ceremony. The song is sung by the men and the women. It is known to bring men and women closer as it ties in with the Majardi song cycle central to Warlpiri Yilpinji love magic. This Dreaming takes place near the Granites in the Tanami desert at a place called Miya Miya.
Artist Biography: Rosie Napurrurla Tasman
Lived: c1935 – 2018
Language group: Warlpiri
Rosie Murnku Marnku Tasman (c.1935 – 2018) was a Warlpiri woman, who grew up in the Tanami Desert and walked along her story lines. She was full of dynamic knowledge about her stories, expressed in her paintings. Her depth of character and hardship she endured has caused her to produce beautiful creations of Dreamtime using colourful bold line work and dots.
When she was born her family knew only one way to travel across their vast lands and that was by foot using the stories contained in her art as a guide. The cattle industry saw the beginning of Warnayaka Warlpiri people being forced from their lands. Her love and dedication to Warlpiri Culture and ultimately her lands and family is born out in the art she created.
Rosie’s paintings have been widely exhibited in Australia and overseas. She was a finalist in the 2010 Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards. Major Collections: National Gallery of Victoria and Artbank.
