Untitled

Yunala is a rockhole site just west of Kiwirrkura, Western Australia. In this painting, Pintupi artist Yukultji Napangati paints the sandhills and yunala, also called bush banana or silky pear vine (Marsdenia Australis), found underground at the site bearing the same name. Napangati’s finely rendered lines undulate across the canvas and tell the story of women travelling to and camping at the place where they once dug for the edible roots of the plant. Pulsating and dazzling, the yellow, white and orange hues mimic the ripples of the sandy terrain traversed by the women as they journeyed east, toward Wilkinkarra (Lake Mackay), passing through Marrapinti, Ngaminya and Wirrulnga.

Arriving in Kiwirrkura in 1984 at the age of around fourteen, Napangati had lived with her family west of Lake Mackay never having experienced contact with non-Aboriginal people. The artist’s confident hand is testament to her relationship and knowledge of Country. 

 Gloria Strzelecki, Associate Curator of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art