Artist: Lorna Naparrula Fencer | Title: Bush Potato | Year: 2000 | Medium: synthetic polymer paint on canvas | Dimensions: 98 x 67 cm
PROVENANCE
Coo-ee Aboriginal Art Gallery, NSW
Accompanied by a photo of the artist with the artwork
EXHIBITED
The Bright The Bold & The Beautiful, March 2012, Coo-ee Art Gallery
ARTWORK STORY
This painting tells the Dreamtime story of two women of the Napurrula and Nakamarra skin groups who are searching the countryside for bush potatoes. Bush potatoes grow as roots underground, so the women must use the digging sticks to find them. The meandering lines represent the complex root system and branches of the bush potato plant.
The circle is the place where the women dig to retrieve the wild yams which are excellent bush tucker. The artist is a senior custodian for this Dreaming which took place at Duck Ponds in the Northern Territory, Australia. She has painted a large tract of country through which the dreaming runs some of which is under flood waters.
Artist Profile
COMMUNITY/REGION
Lajamanu, NT
LANGUAGE
Warlpiri
BIOGRAPHY
Born c. 1925, at Yarturlu Yarturlu, a Yam Dreaming site, Lorna Fencer, was the custodian of inherited land Yumurrpa situated near Chilla Well, south of the Granites Mine in the Tanami Desert. Her father’s country was Wapurtali. She spent her early years living a traditional life until, in 1949 she, along with many of her Warlpiri countrymen, were forcibly transported to the government settlement of Lajamanu at Hooker Creek, situated in the country of the Gurindji people. Lajamanu lay 250 miles north of the traditional Warlpiri homelands and it became a disconsolate community, as its governance during the 1950’s was militant and suppressive. Many Walrpiri walked the 800 km back to Yuendumu only to be forcibly returned once more, thereby creating a deep sense of disempowerment and loss. Despite this, the Warlpiri elders kept their customs and ceremonies alive with a fierce determination. Lorna Napurrula in particular maintained and strengthened her cultural identity through ceremonial activity thereby asserting her position as a prominent elder and teacher in the community… Continue Reading
PROVENANCE
Coo-ee Aboriginal Art Gallery, NSW
Accompanied by a photo of the artist with the artwork
EXHIBITED
The Bright The Bold & The Beautiful, March 2012, Coo-ee Art Gallery
ARTWORK STORY
This painting tells the Dreamtime story of two women of the Napurrula and Nakamarra skin groups who are searching the countryside for bush potatoes. Bush potatoes grow as roots underground, so the women must use the digging sticks to find them. The meandering lines represent the complex root system and branches of the bush potato plant.
The circle is the place where the women dig to retrieve the wild yams which are excellent bush tucker. The artist is a senior custodian for this Dreaming which took place at Duck Ponds in the Northern Territory, Australia. She has painted a large tract of country through which the dreaming runs some of which is under flood waters.
Artist Profile
COMMUNITY/REGION
Lajamanu, NT
LANGUAGE
Warlpiri
BIOGRAPHY
Born c. 1925, at Yarturlu Yarturlu, a Yam Dreaming site, Lorna Fencer, was the custodian of inherited land Yumurrpa situated near Chilla Well, south of the Granites Mine in the Tanami Desert. Her father’s country was Wapurtali. She spent her early years living a traditional life until, in 1949 she, along with many of her Warlpiri countrymen, were forcibly transported to the government settlement of Lajamanu at Hooker Creek, situated in the country of the Gurindji people. Lajamanu lay 250 miles north of the traditional Warlpiri homelands and it became a disconsolate community, as its governance during the 1950’s was militant and suppressive. Many Walrpiri walked the 800 km back to Yuendumu only to be forcibly returned once more, thereby creating a deep sense of disempowerment and loss. Despite this, the Warlpiri elders kept their customs and ceremonies alive with a fierce determination. Lorna Napurrula in particular maintained and strengthened her cultural identity through ceremonial activity thereby asserting her position as a prominent elder and teacher in the community… Continue Reading
