Alcaston Gallery is thrilled to present new paintings and ceramics by Pitjantjatjara artist Tjariya Stanley, in her first ever solo exhibition, Minyma Kutjara Wingellina.

Born in Wingellina in 1939, Tjariya began her artistic career in the 1970s as an accomplished Batik artist. More recently, she has embraced the medium of paint on canvas and ceramics to tell tjukurpa - ancestral creation stories associated with her country.

In this new body of work, Tjariya uses designs of the landscape such as tjukula (rockholes) and flowers to depict the dreaming of Minyma Kutjara Wingellina, the story of two sisters on their journey through Tjariya’s country of Wingellina, and the sacred ceremonial sites that they pass through.

The flowing narrative in her work reaffirms Tjariya’s reputation as an excellent storyteller, with her love and knowledge of her traditional country running deep. Her grandson NGUNYTJIMA CARROLL has collaborated with Tjariya on the ceramics in this exhibition, indicating that creative talent runs deep in the family, with Ngunytjima fast becoming an accomplished artist in his right.

Tjariya Stanley has exhibited widely in group exhibitions in Australia and overseas, and her work features in several prominent collections including National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, National Museum of Australia, Canberra, National Museum of Scotland, Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery, Tasmania, and Artbank Australia.

Tjariya’s paintings are confident and aesthetically significant in a contemporary sense, with her innate wisdom of her people contributing to her inspiration. Alcaston Gallery is thrilled to present Tjariya Stanley as an emerging contemporary visual artist for all art lovers to enjoy and appreciate.

-Beverly Knight 2013

Image: Image courtesy of the Artist, Ernabella Arts, SA & Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne