– CATALOGUE ESSAY: MAMU, MY COUNTRY

ANGELA WATSON IS A RENOWNED ARTIST, RESPECTED SENIOR MINYMA (LAW WOMAN), NGANGKARI (TRADITIONAL HEALER) AND COMMUNITY LEADER FROM THE ANANGU PITJANTJATJARA YANKUNYTJATJARA (APY) LANDS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA. BORN IN WARBURTON, WESTERN AUSTRALIA IN 1966, ANGELA GREW UP LIVING A TRADITIONAL ANANGU LIFE, HUNTING AND GATHERING BUSH FOODS WITH HER FAMILY AND LIVING ON THEIR HOMELANDS. ANGELA AND HER SISTER, FELLOW ARTIST ANYUPA NELSON, LATER RELOCATED WITH THEIR FAMILY TO PIPALYATJARA, WHERE THEY CONTINUE TO LIVE TODAY.

Angela’s journey as an artist began when Ninuku Arts was founded in the early 2OOOs.  Under the guidance of her mother, Kunmanara (Angampa) Martin, a respected Irrunytju artist, Angela’s signature style developed.  Her intricate dot work and powerful brushstrokes make use of a tonal yet bold colour palette to tell the stories and map the sites of the Mamu Tjukurpa, an important Dreaming from her father’s Country.

Angela’s generosity as a storyteller extends beyond the canvas.  She often tells stories, drawing them in the red dirt for young children and Piranpa (non-Indigenous people); teaching them the tjukurpa that has been passed down through her family.

The Mamu site is located southwest of Pipalyatjara, about one hour, just over the West Australian border.  Alkuwari was travelling with her Jamu (grandson) and her partner, also called Jamu.  She made a camp with a fire and big wiltja for the boy, but she was afraid that the boy was going to hurt the old man, so she hid him in a wiltja in the tree above.

While she was hunting through the day, the boy realised there was someone above and made a fire that burnt him.  While Alkuwari was hunting, she felt a spark land on her shoulder and looked back to see the smoke.  She ran to the wiltja, however the old man had already died.

As Alkuwari wailed in a mournful song, women from all over the country heard her cries and came rising up through the seven waterholes of the Mamu site, creating an army to avenge his death.  The boy ran and climbed a tall tree where he hid from the women.  When they found him, they began climbing the tree, however as they climbed, he shook the tree, shaking them off and onto the ground.  The story of Alkuwari speaks to the themes of protection, responsibility and the consequences of failing to protect loved ones.

Angela remains a consistent presence at Ninuku Arts and her dedication to her practice and deep knowledge of the stories and landscapes she paints ensures that the stories of the Anangu people will continue to be heard, remembered, and celebrated for generations to come.  Her artworks speak to the strength of Aboriginal culture, and invites audiences to engage with the stories and landscapes of her Country.

GEORGIE GENGOS, ART CENTRE MANAGER, NINUKU ARTS