Lot 63

Work is in very good condition. Minor wear to the corners of the canvas where it is folded over the stretcher bar.


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Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne (accompanied by a certificate of authenticity)
Private collection, Melbourne

Ninuku Tjukurpa - Bilby Dreaming, New Paintings from Ninuku Arts, Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, 18 March - 5 April 2008

Collaborately created by Yaritji Connelly, Judy Miller, Anyupa Nelson, Heather Watson, Tjuruparu Watson, Yangi Yangi Fox and Renae Fox.

This significant work was collaboratively made to act as a ceremonial centrepiece for the inauguration of the Tjala Arts Niniku Studio in 2007. At the official launch the Niniku Tjukurpa was sung and performed around the work. The "Bilby Dreaming" has particular poignancy as the Bilby is listed as endangered and its habitat is under increasing pressure from feral foxes, wild dogs, and cats.

"Tjukurpa minima ninu papmpa tjiti kutjara (this is the dreamtime story about the bilby woman and her two little boys). This is the story for Kalka. That minyma ninu (bilby woman) and her family were all earing the maku (witchetty grubs). There are lots of different maku, tjilka-tjilka, punti, ngarkalya and kanturangu. She ate so much that there were only ngingirpa left (little immature ones). The wati mututa (ant men) got really angry and they chased the bilby family, husband, wife and kids, spearing the Minyma Ninu and Mututa marched back down the hill and painted white paint in a vertical line between their stomaches and their pelvises. This is called 'Kumpunturu'. 'Mulapa', this is a true story." (Artists' statement, 2008)

© Ninuku Arts Collaborative/Copyright Agency 2022