Porcupine Tjukurpa, 18-285

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A$1,400

Artwork Details

Medium Acrylic (Requires Framing)
Dimensions 76.2cm (W) x 101.5cm (H) x 0.2cm (D)
Review Stars 21,231 Customer Reviews

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Artwork Description

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. He extensive cultural and topographical knowledge are evident in her paintings, which evoke the movement and energy of desert landscapes.

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.

Artist Bio

Tjawina Porter was born in the bush circa 1930, and grew up in the desert near Yumara where she lived a traditional nomadic lifestyle with her family. After the death of her father, her family moved to the then newly established government settlement of Papunya. Tjawina now lives in Tjukurla, a remote indigenous community in the Western Desert of Australia which is close to her birth place. Tjawina is a skilled craftsperson, and was well known for her skills as a traditional basket weaver and carver of punu (wood) before becoming recognised for her exceptional painting skills. Her artworks represent the traditional homelands associated with her people's ancestral heritage. Her works are detailed in symbolism. 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. The artworks depict the physical markings that the ancient ancestors have provided to give evidence of their activities during the time of creation. In the years that Tjawina has been painting, she has gained worldwide recognition, participating in many national and international group exhibitions. Her works are represented in private and public collections in Australia and overseas.