• Waterholes
  • Waterholes
  • Waterholes
  • Waterholes

Gladys Napangardi Tasman Kungariya

Waterholes

  

  • Acrylic on Canvas
  • Dimensions: 40cm x 30cm
  • Cat No. 128-07


Born at Mamingirri, Napangardi started painted on canvas and linen in 1986 after TAFE ran a painting course in Lajamanu. Her first mediums prior to this, were on the body using ochres and oils and on wooden artefacts again using ochres. Gladys became a senior Law Lady here. Gladys was a cheerful lady and enjoyed teaching the youth at the school for many years. She taught Warlpiri traditions and language being proficient in all her Law and dance/ceremonies. She also painted at the local art centre. Her works are in the National Gallery of Victoria and she has been in significant exhibitions including 1989 "Yuendumu and Ramingining", and 1990 "Paint up Big" at the National Gallery of Victoria. Water is special for Warlpiri, especially when we traveled by foot through our land. Many are sacred sites and are part of a dreaming story so we can find it easily. The are marked in many paintings by circles. Water is a feature of life in the Tanami. There is nothing more pleasant then finding a waterhole with crystal clear water where you can cool off. Birds, people and animals can be found here enjoying this gift in the desert.


Lajamanu has a population of around 900 Warlpiri people. The older generation see Warnayaka as an avenue to achieve a number of needs that are present in their community. At the centre these elders still create their dot paintings. The most important thing expressed by members, is the need to preserve and pass on the cultural significance of Warlpiri, the culture of the people of Lajamanu, which encompasses not only art, but includes language, social structure, law and country. In doing so it is understood that excellence in art, prosperity from art sales, employment opportunities and preservation of pride in being Warlpiri will result. The art centre is a Warlpiri corporation and is staffed mainly by the children of the older generation of Indigenous Lajamanu residents who remember their first contact with white Australia. They maintain the computerised data base and run the art centre production. Older and younger community members produce Aboriginal dot paintings and make wooden artefacts. The centre is a place for a cup of tea and a song and dance, and then a trip into the Spinifex desert to look for goanna and lizards or to collect bush coconut, bush banana, yams and bush honey from native bees.


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1. Monday is the day we do our shipping/postage each week unless Express Shipping is requested at the time of purchase. If for some reason there is a delay and your item isn’t able to be shipped the Monday after you purchased it we will be in touch.

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