Tjarlirli Rockhole 19-1079

Two women are at the Tjarlirli rockhole near Tjukurla. They are cooking up the bush tucker they have collected and have been digging for water. Their campsite is depicted with the wiltchya (shelter) and the fire. The nimpara (skirt worn by women in the early days spun from human hair and conditioned with animal fat ond ochres) is depicted as are the sandhills that dominate the landscape. This is Tjawina's country, where her mother and grandmother lived a traditional nomadic life. The painting is based on the designs used in women's ceremonies in the region, and have been passed down from generation to generation.

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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.