Minyma Mamu Tjuta, 2024 | 41h x 152w | RK919
Stretched (no frame) | Acrylic on primed linen
Naomi Kantjuriny (b.1944) is a respected community Elder and a steady leading presence at Tjala Arts in Amata on the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, South Australia, where she has worked since 2001. An excellent hunter, basket maker, and wood carver, Naomi took to painting with remarkable ease. Naomi is also a Ngangkari- traditional healer. Ngangkari provide traditional healing treatments and practices of the mind, body and spirit. They are exactly like Western doctors and equal to doctors in their effectiveness for the Aboriginal people of her region.
Naomi works across painting and drawing. In her drawings. Naomi depicts mamu; good and bad spirits. Mamu are mainly harmful, dangerous spirit forces, evil spirits, monsters or an illness. They come in different forms and with varying powers. They can also be “good” spirits helping and looking after people and children.
Naomi has been included in numerous exhibitions and most recently she was the winner of the prestigious John Sulman Prize 2024 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Provenance
APY Gallery, Adelaide SA
Red Kangaroo Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Please Note: This painting does not come with a photo of the artist holding the work. However, the painting is signed by the Artist (en recto centre)
