Literature in our Collection
(A-L)

Acker, Tim und Carty, John (Hg.): Ngaanyatjarra - Art of the Lands, UWA Publishing, Crawley 2012, ISBN 9781742583914

Table of Contents        ¦         Cover Text        ¦         Book Review

Table of Contents

Hetti Perkins: Foreword -v-

Map -vi-

David Brooks: An emerging present: a short history of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands -1-

John Carty: Purnu, tjanpi, canvas: a Ngaanyatjarra art history -15-

Tim Acker: The art of community: the place of art centres in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands -37-

Plates -49-

John Carty: Maruku Arts and Crafts -127-

Steve Fox: Memories of a purnu-man in the Ng Lands -141-

Jo Foster: Winneringu! Tjanpi Desert Weavers -149-

Thisbe Purich: Kanytjupayi’s attraction -161-

John Carty: Papulankutja Artists -171-

Dianna Isgar: Cliff Reid -181-

David Brooks: Mr Forbes -183-

John Carty with Edwina Circuitt: Warakurna Artists -191-

Edwina Circuitt: Mr Shepherd’s studio -207-

Pamela Faye McGrath: The past is everywhere: Ngaanyatjarra history paintings -209-

John Carty: Kayili Artists -219-

Anisha Angelroth: Singing Brindle -231-

Tim Pearn: Reflections on Kayili Artists -233-

Nancy Tjungupi Carnegie: Warburton glass -237-

John Carty: Tjarlirli Art -241-

Pamela Faye McGrath: Nyarapayi Giles -249-

Judith Ryan: Irrunytju Arts -253-

Tjawina Roberts: Irrunytju Arts story -259

Cover Text

The elliptical songlines that weave through the ranges and rock holes of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands nourish the creativity that flourishes in the art centres throughout this vast inland region. Like eruptions of subterranean energy to the surface, vividly hued acrylic paintings, finely hewn wooden objects and the riotously joyful tjanpi (grass) weavings have come to characterise the art of the Yarnangu people. Although scattered throughout the Lands, separated by hundreds of kilometres, the artists who own and govern these community centres are united by a passionate love of their Country and cultural heritage. It is this common ground that has inspired the family of Ngaanyatjarra artists to preserve, protect and pass on this legacy to their descendants. The Western Desert Mob comprises an alliance of Ngaanyatjarra art centres operating in the rich swathe of country running west of Uluru. Their mantra of "thriving in the living desert" encapsulates the blossoming of a distinctive regional art movement that has taken ist place amongst the most highly regarded contemporary Australian art. "Ngaanyatjarra: Art of the Lands" is a book which captures the elegant complexity of desert life, revealing the worlds with worlds that is Ngaanyatjarra culture.

Book Review

Three aspects make this an outstanding book: the quality of the photographs of artworks and of country, the very large number of direct quotations from artists and the detailed summaries of how the Indigenous people 200-800 kilometers west of Uluru were able to sustain their culture and establish a network of art centres, loosely associated as the Western Desert Mob. Maintaining their independent control over their art and their cultural heritage was aided by the long distances to interfering politicians and bureaucrats in Alice Springs, Perth or indeed Darwin. When a group of artists won the coveted Telstra Art Award in 2005, it took them 5 days to journey to Darwin by 4WD, camping every night. Benign neglect by the W.A. Government up until the late 1950s allowed the various groups some time to adapt, and when the 1980s outstation period arrived there was enough community spirit to organize for many their return to country. That independence has influenced their art; the communities could try various ideas and follow those they found good. For example, the art direction called Tjanpi, based on weaving, including coil weavings, grew up from a number of workshops in the late 1990s (S. 151). Quotations from the artists (S. 27 and throughout the book) show that the interaction of art and Tjukurrpa, including what would be proper to reveal to outsiders in what medium, was a continuous, serious and evolving discussion. The book concludes with a few biographic details and 2 cm by 2 cm photographs of the featured artists: Adam Butler, Adison Mitchell, Adrian Young, Anawari Mitchell, Andrew Mitchell, Angilyia Mitchell, Anmanari Brown, Annie Farmer, Arthur Tjatitjarra Robertson, Aubrey Carnegie, Ben Holland, Bob Gibson, Carlton Isaac Reid, Carol Maanyatja Golding, Cliff Reid, Colley Campbell, Dianne Ungukalpi Golding, Dora Waynatjura Lane, Dorcas Tinnimay Bennett, Elaine Warnatjura Lane, Ernest Yawi Bennett, Esther Giles, Eunice Yunurupa Porter, Faith Butler, Fred Untjima Forbes, Fred Ward, Freda Yimunya Lane, Ivan Shepherd, Ivy Laidlaw, Jackie Kurltjunyintja Giles, James Gibson, Janet Nyunmitji Forbes, Jean Inyalanka Burke, Jean Yaritji Lane, Jimmy Donegan, John Richards, Joyce McLean, Judith Yinyika Chambers, Kanytjupayi Benson, Katjarra Butler, Ken Shepherd, Maimie Butler, Manupa Butler, Mary Gibson, Matthew Milton, Matjiwa Jones, Morita Ward, Myra Yurtiwa Cook, Nancy Nyanyarna Jackson, Nancy Tjungupi Carnegie, Narelle Kanpatja Holland, Neville McArthur, Ngipi Ward, Nola Campbell, Nora Holland, Norma Ngumarnu Giles, Norman Lyons, Nyapurla Morgan, Nyarapayi Giles, Nyumitja Laidlaw, Nyurapayia Bennett Nampitjinpa, Peter Tjarluri Lewis, Pirrmangka Reid Napanangka, Pulpurru Davies, Rachel Yukultja Jennings, Reggie Jackson,Rene Nelson, Ruby Reid, Russell James Shepherd, Sheila Giles, Thelma McLean, Thomas Reid, Tjapartji Kanytjuri Bates, Tjawina Porter, Tjayanka Woods, Tjunka Lewis, Tommy Mitchell, Winston Mitchell, Vivien Porter.