Desert Country - UQ Art Museum

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Harry Tjutjuna anangu PiTjanTjaTjara yankunyTjaTjara arTisTs born c.1930s, Pitjantjatjara people, South Australia Spiderman Wati Wangka 2007, Ernabella, South Australia synthetic polymer paint on linen, 120.0 x 150.0 cm South Australian Government Grant 2008 © Harry Tjutjuna, courtesy of Ernabella <strong>Art</strong>s and Ninuku <strong>Art</strong>s
Harry Tjutjuna anangu PiTjanTjaTjara yankunyTjaTjara arTisTs born c.1930s, Pitjantjatjara people, South Australia Harry Tjutjuna was born in Pitjantjatjara country in the western border country of South Australia and the Northern Territory. When he was young he moved to Ernabella, where he attended school at the mission. As a young man there, he worked as a bore sinker, fencer and gardener and with the mission sheep. He and his wives and family later moved back to his country near the tri-state border, living mostly at or near Irrunytju (Wingellina) and Pipalyatjara. He is a widower, a ngankari (traditional healer) and a senior law man who has travelled extensively throughout central Australia on ceremonial business. In 2005, aged in his mid-seventies, Harry began painting when he was again living at Ernabella. His Tjukurpa (Dreaming) subjects from his country include Malu (kangaroo), Wati Ngintaka (Perentie Lizard Man) and Minyma Mingkari (Marsupial Mouse Women). However, the Tjukurpa he is primarily connected to is Wati Wangka (Spider Man). As a ngankari he uses spider webs to treat skin injuries and abrasions. He also paints Wati Nyiru (Nyiru Man), the hunter who perpetually chases the women of the Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters) Dreaming. Spiderman Wati Wangka depicts both an autobiographical and traditional story. It operates on several levels – as a personal story of Harry, as a reflection of his role as a traditional healer, and as a Tjukurpa (Dreaming) story. In speaking of this work, he described himself as a ngankari, a traditional healer or doctor – a spider man, which is also his totem as a ngankari. Harry and the spider are one and the same, shown by the fact that the spider is looking for a woman (represented by the circles), as is Harry. Spiders are also involved in the creation stories of Harry’s birthplace. People often associate themselves with one or more of the creatures of their ngura (home place) in this way. Talking of similar paintings, he has called the spider a ‘clever man’ – a common term for a healer. The circle-like background patterns are a common feature of the artist’s spider paintings. They not only reference the intricate pattern spun by spiders but also represent minyma wangka tjuta [many spider women], these are all the women and children for this man. 1 1 Harry Tjutjuna, Wangka: spider, Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, 2009, www.alcastongallery.com.au. PRIMARY SECONDARY Look at the painting and describe the particular creation story. Talk about how the colours the artist has used, and the story are connected? Create a design based on a spider. Discuss the important role of the traditional healer in Aboriginal communities. Research other traditional cures or medicines found in Aboriginal culture. Aboriginal people often associate themselves with one or more of the creatures of their homeplace, known as a totem. Discuss Harry’s connection to his totem through this painting.
Page 1 and 2: Desert Country EDUCATION RESOURCE
Page 3 and 4: Information for teachers This educa
Page 5 and 6: ‘When we, as Aboriginal people, t
Page 7 and 8: Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri c.1934
Page 9 and 10: Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula 1942-2001,
Page 11 and 12: Doreen Reid Nakamarra Doreen Reid N
Page 13 and 14: Angelina Pwerle born c.1952, Anmaty
Page 15 and 16: Rover Thomas 1926-1998, Kukatja/Wan
Page 17 and 18: Mabel Juli born 1933, Gija people,
Page 19 and 20: Tommy Mitchell born 1943, Ngaanyatj
Page 21 and 22: Tjumpo Tjapanangka c.1929-2007, Kuk
Page 23: Ginger Wikilyiri anangu PiTjanTjaTj
Page 27 and 28: Nura Rupert anangu PiTjanTjaTjara y
Page 29 and 30: anangu PiTjanTjaTjara yankunyTjaTja
Page 31 and 32: Kunmanara Queama 1947-2009, Pitjant
Page 33 and 34: Lilly Kelly Napangardi born c.1948,

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