Lot 66: MILATJARI PUMANI, born 1928, NGURA WALYTJA, ANTARA, 2010, synthetic polymer paint on linen

MILATJARI PUMANI, (1928 – 2014), NGURA WALYTJA, ANTARA, 2010, synthetic polymer paint on linen

SIGNED:
bears inscription verso: artist’s name, date and Mimili Maku Arts and Crafts cat. MIM580-10

DIMENSIONS:
91.0 x 152.5 cm

PROVENANCE:
Milimi Maku Arts, Mimili, South Australia
Harvey Art Projects, Ketchum, Idaho, USA
The Luczo Family Collection, USA

ESSAY:
This painting is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from MilimiMaku Arts, Mimili, South Australia that states: ‘This painting is about Milatjari's home, family and culture. The country is Antara, a place not far from the Mimili Community. Antara belonged to Milatjari's uncle. Milatjari's mother and father would take her sister and brother out hunting and gathering food at Antara. Milatjari's father would hunt for kangaroos and goannas; while her mother would take the children to gather bush tucker. During the night the family would sleep in a Walytja and build a fire for warmth.

Antara is a special place for Milatjari. She always paints this country and MakuTjukurpa. The MakuTjukurpa (witchetty grub songline) is a significant songline for this area. The women from Mimili would go to the waterhole north of Mimili. They would clean it out then wait for the rain to come. When the waterhole was full of water they would tap the water’s surface and sing inma for Makutjuta (enough water for everyone). The rockholes, hills and country are depicted in this painting.’