Women of the Spinifex Arts Project: Minyma Pila Nguru — Legacy

05.02.2025—
08.03.2025

Official opening event: 12.O2.2O25, 6 — 8pm

 

Artist reception with senior artist Ngalpingka Simms and introducing exciting, next generation artists Jessica Veronica Brown and Michelle Anderson:
O1.O3.2O25,
2 — 4pm

Ngalpingka Simms |
Wayiyul
2023
synthetic polymer paint on linen
200 x 230 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 23-134
$15,000
Kunmanara Kanta Donnegan |
Pirapi
2021
synthetic polymer paint on linen
137 x 110 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 21-5
$6,800

In the celebrated, accelerated trajectory of Australian contemporary Indigenous art, the Spinifex Arts Project stands out as unique.  Nearly 30 years ago, the diaspora from the Maralinga lands were determined to move away from mission life and gain native title over their extensive Country.  They painted two enormous canvases collaboratively — one by the women, one by the men — that document over 500 specific sites.  The final paintings were presented to the Federal court and Native Title was granted resoundingly in 2000.

 

One cannot simplify the huge effort and focus required to manifest those paintings, the protocols and diplomacy over specific rites to ancestral sites, let alone the Spinifex mob’s determination to create a permanent settlement.  Since then, the Spinifex people, or Pila Nguru have continued to paint on extensive expeditions back to Country, and now in their beautiful state-of-the-art studio in Tjuntjuntjara, over 500 kms east of Kalgoorlie.

Major artists from the group have carved their own solo careers; almost all are men.  Now we are delighted and honoured to present an exhibition of the leading women — pioneers of the movement and the next generation of women who have watched, listened and learned the lore that guides each artist’s unique hand.

Ngalpingka Simms |
Tika-tika munu Wayiyul
2023
synthetic polymer paint on linen
200 x 290 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 23-229
$18,500
Kunmanara Tjaruwa Woods |
Kamanti
2018
synthetic polymer paint on linen
110 x 85 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 18-159
$5,200
Michelle Anderson |
Kanpala
2022
synthetic polymer paint on linen
75 x 60 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 22-166
$2,000
Ngalpingka Simms |
Wayiyul
2022
synthetic polymer paint on linen
137 x 200 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 22-255
$7,200
Spinifex Women’s Collaborative | Maureen Donnegan | Kunmanara Kanta Donnegan |
Kungkarangkalpa
2024
synthetic polymer paint on linen
137 x 110 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 24-412
$6,800

The medium of acrylic paints and canvas was outshone by the message: we are the traditional owners of our manta (land) and we will show you this by painting it. ”

— Louise Allerton, first art centre manager at Spinifex Arts Project

They waited a long time for Native Title and they wanted to paint their manta (land). I remember that first big painting we did, all the Minyma Tjuta. That was that Native [Title] Painting...They hung up that painting behind the judge at the lake area when we got our Native Title. The old people got really excited because they waited so long to get their manta back. Judith Donaldson, Mr Pennington, My Walker, they were all dancing. ”

— Senior artist Debbie Hansen

Kunmanara Tjaruwa Woods |
Kamanti
2015
synthetic polymer paint on linen
137 x 90 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 15-170
$7,000
Michelle Anderson |
Kamiku Ngura
2024
synthetic polymer paint on linen
110 x 85 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 24-198
$3,500
Kunmanara Tjaruwa Woods |
Kamanti
2017
synthetic polymer paint on linen
230 x 200 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 17-258
$25,500
Ngalpingka Simms |
Wayiyul
2022
synthetic polymer paint on linen
75 x 60 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 22-245
$2,000
Kunmanara Tjaruwa Woods |
Kuru Ala
2013
synthetic polymer paint on linen
133 x 105 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 13-281
$8,200
Spinifex Women’s Collaborative | Kunmanara Kanta Donnegan | Sophia Brown |
Kungkarungkalpa
2019
synthetic polymer paint on linen
200 x 137 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 19-369
$11,200

I went on those bush trips in the early days and walked around and watched all the old women painting. ”

— Emerging artist Michelle Anderson

Kunmanara Tjaruwa Woods |
Kalaya
2015
synthetic polymer paint on linen
137 x 90 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 15-207
$7,000
Jessica Veronica Brown |
Kuru Ala
2024
synthetic polymer paint on linen
75 x 60 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 24-416
$2,000
Ngalpingka Simms |
Wayiyul
2022
synthetic polymer paint on linen
200 x 137 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 22-316
$7,200
Kunmanara Kanta Donnegan |
Minyma Tjuta
2019
synthetic polymer paint on linen
200 x 137 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 19-255
$12,900

I watched my Nana (Kunmanara Myrtle Pennington) painting. She told me to watch her and learn. She told me stories and Tjukurpa from Kanpa (the Country where she was born). She was getting sick then and I helped her on her paintings. ”

— Michelle Anderson

Kunmanara Myrtle Pennington |
Kanpala
2016
synthetic polymer paint on linen
137 x 200 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 16-33
$16,800
Ngalpingka Simms |
Wayiyul
2023
synthetic polymer paint on linen
75 x 60 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 23-291
$2,000
Kunmanara Kanta Donnegan |
Kapi Piti Kutjara
2017
synthetic polymer paint on linen
137 x 90 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 17-300
$4,600
Marcia Thompson |
Kamiku Ngura
2024
synthetic polymer paint on linen
110 x 85 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 24-265
$2,400
Michelle Anderson |
Kamiku Ngura
2024
synthetic polymer paint on linen
110 x 85 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 24-456
$3,500
Michelle Anderson |
Kanpala
2022
synthetic polymer paint on linen
75 x 60 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 22-167
$2,000

I paint the same as my Nana. I paint her Country, Kanpa. And I like to use about 3 or 4 colours, that’s all. I learnt from her and what she was painting. I like to go and paint at the Art Centre in the afternoon when its quiet. I like painting when its quiet. ”

— Michelle Anderson

Michelle Anderson |
Kamiku Ngura
2024
synthetic polymer paint on linen
110 x 85 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 24-474
$3,500
Jessica Veronica Brown |
Kuru Ala
2024
synthetic polymer paint on linen
75 x 60 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 24-417
$2,000
Ngalpingka Simms |
Wayiyul
2023
synthetic polymer paint on linen
200 x 137 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 23-446
$8,500
Jessica Veronica Brown |
Kuru Ala
2024
synthetic polymer paint on linen
137 x 140 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 24-484
$4,200
Michelle Anderson |
Kamiku Ngura
2024
synthetic polymer paint on linen
110 x 85 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 24-472
$3,500
Ngalpingka Simms |
Wayiyul
2024
synthetic polymer paint on linen
75 x 60 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat 24-473
$2,000
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