Tjukurpa Kunpu Mulapa – Culture, Strong and True

Mapping Country

SENIOR MEN Mumu Mike Williams and Willy Muntjantji Martin define their place both as artists and law men, by strong marks and definitive styles.

The stories and places that connect these men to their land drive their expression for now and future generations: Willy Martin’s shimmering roundels and Mumu Mike Williams loose but effective marks over found maps. The exhibition also features a large collaborative by the two men with Sammy Dodds, painted on remote area post bags and suspended by a kulata (spear).

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‘I paint the Wanampi Tjukurpa, or Water snake Dreaming. This is a story from Piltati, near Nyapari (on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara {APY} Lands in the remote north-west of South Australia). There’s a special rockhole at Piltati where this creation story takes place. There’s two wati (men), brothers and their wives. There’s trickery and conflict, and the men change themselves into wanampi (water snakes). The story tells how the land was shaped and formed.

It’s important that we hold our culture, our stories, our connection to country strong for malatjamalatja (future generations) – that’s why I make paintings.’

– WILLY MUNTJANTJI MARTIN

Kulilaya. Manta miilmiilpa tjara, Tjukurpa alatjitu.

Listen to us. Our land is very sacred, and has been since the creation times.

– MUMU MIKE WILLIAMS