Lot 3

Maruku Arts, Northern Territory (accompanied by a certificate of authenticity)
Private collection, Melbourne

"Paintings depict the Tjukurpa, the Law and stories of Ancestors. Anangu (Central and Western Desert Aboriginal people) have responsibilities for the protection and teaching of different Tjukurpa and there are strict protocols for the imparting of knowledge. The dotting technique has evolved with the need to adapt sacred expressions of Tjukurpa for public viewing and as a depiction of the desert landscape.

Through Palumai's traditional lands travels the Tjukurpa of Minyma Kutjara, The Two Women. During the creation period, as they hunted and adventured along the way, they formed many aspects of the landscape and left behind information still used today about the important rituals and work of collecting mai or plant foods. The women travel with piti munu wana, collecting bowls and digging sticks. Palumai says this painting describes sites related to her Tjukurpa in the country around Walungurru (Kintore), a Pintupi Luritja speaking community west of Alice Springs and north of Uluru. The women follow a series of water holes as they travel through the sand dune country.

The result is a map that only custodians and other people related to this country can read. Coded in the landscape and in the Creation of Law stories is the information needed to hunt and survive. Dot paintings like this one are a contemporary way of continuing to celebrate and teach through the Tjukurpa."
As stated on the Maruku Arts certificate of authenticity