Acrylic on canvas
Signed certificate of authenticity.
Walu was one of the places the Ngaanyatjarra people were able to prove belonged to them. It formed part of the claim to Native Title which was the subject of the largest native title determination in Australian history. On 29 June 2005 the claim to 187,000 sq km in Western Australia was acknowledged.
Walu is a large flat rock at ground level with three deep holes which collect water during the rainy season. There are smooth shiny patches on the surface where the women have ground seeds for bush cakes. It was a popular place for many of the Ngaanyatjarra to gather for swimming, collecting food and access to water.
Papulankutja or Blackstone Community was established after Ngaanyatjarra people walked out of Warburton mission in the 1970s and returned to their land in the shadow of the spectacular Blackstone Range west of the tri-state border. Papulankutja Artists was established in 2001 and incorporated in 2004 growing out of Blackstone’s women’s centre. After many years of working through the women’s centre and then the community hall, Papulankutja Artists opened their own purpose built art studio in 2009. Papulankutja Artists are very community focussed. Today, women and men, young people and old people, work together. By purchasing an art work from an Indigenous owned and governed art centre you are supporting the community. 60% goes directly to the artist and 40% is reimbursed back into the art centre to buy materials so the artists can continue to produce beautiful work and celebrate their culture.