Tjawina’s artworks are rich in symbolism and fine detail, with brushwork and dots travelling steadily across the canvas to reveal the undulating forms of her country. The iconography depicts sand dunes known as tali and rock escarpments known as puli, as well as waterholes and food sources. Her designs are often used in body art during traditional corroborees. Tjawina grew up in the desert near Yumara where she lived the traditional nomadic lifestyle with her family. Her extensive cultural and topographical knowledge are evident in her paintings, which evoke the movement and energy of desert landscapes.
Tjarlirli Art began in 2006. It is a community based Art Centre, owned by the artists. Tjukurla Community is 300km west of Uluru, its neighbours are Karltukatjarra (DockerRiver) and Warakurna. It is a small community and the people who live here speak several varieties of the Western Desert Languages, they are Ngaatjatjarra, Ngaanyatjarra,Pitjantjatjarra, Pintupi and Luritja. In the Tingarri Dreaming, Tjukurla is Tingarri Ngurra, the home of the ancestral Tingarri Beings.This work depicts women traveling through the area of the Porcupine dreaming, which is Tjawina’s mother’s county. They travel between the Tjarlirli rock hole and the Tjukurla rock hole in the Tingarri (dreaming) times. The sand hills of the region are depicted by the long rolling dotted lines.
Please note that as this painting has come from the art centre unstretched, it will require stretching. Certificate of authenticity can be provided on request.