All three artists adopt a fresh view of Anangu culture; with a vibrant palette and dynamic execution, these artists from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunyjatjara (APY) Lands uniquely depict subjects drawn from their tjukurpa (law and culture) and ngura (country).

Acclaimed artist Dickie Minyintri is one of the most senior and significant artists in the APY Lands; he is the the oldest man at Ernabella Arts, and his vast knowledge of his law and country is reflected in his artwork. Dickie encompasses subjects of traditional Anangu culture and ceremony with a bold palette and raw style of painting, each artwork a memory of his journey. His powerful depictions of sacred tjukurpa have won Dickie well-deserved recognition, having been named Winner of the prestigious Telstra Award in 2011. One of Australia’s most important Indigenous artists, Dickie Minyintiri has exhibited throughout Australia and internationally, and his work features in many prominent institutions and collections including the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane and Artbank Australia.

Beautifully paired with the work of Dickie Minyintiri are new paintings by Pantjiti Lionel, the most senior woman working at Ernabella Arts. A contemporary of Dickie’s, Pantjiti also comes from a time when Anangu walked everywhere, before cars and white people. Like Dickie, she paints with a brush, and her style is immediate and expressive. Her paintings are not affected or influenced but come from a place inside, drawing on her memories and her knowledge of tjukurpa.

At age 32, Derek Thompson is part of the new generation of artists emerging from the APY Lands. He is learning the skills necessary to be a young artist today. Derek is obsessed with drawing, and spends hours each day depicting the animals and tjukurpa of his country. His raw and uniquely hand-crafted stoneware and terracotta ceramics add an exciting third dimension to this body of work.

-Beverly Knight

Image: © Pantjiti Lionel, Alcaston Gallery