Papulankutja Artists

Papulankutja Artists is a small community-based enterprise located in Papulankutja (Blackstone), a remote community at the foothills of the Blackstone Ranges about 1600 kilometres north-east of Perth.

By facilitating visual art production in various mediums and employment for arts workers, the art centre provides an opportunity for Ngaanyatjarra people to earn income. The art centre also services Mantamaru Artists, at Mantamaru (Jameson) 75 kilometres west of Papulankutja.

As Yarnangu custodians, the artists play a major role in maintaining culture, law and storytelling practices by painting Tjukurrpa (ancestral creation stories) about their connection to country and ancestors. These stories include the well-known Seven Sisters story, Wati Kutjarra (two magical ancestral goanna men) and Illurrpa (the place where Kuniya, a giant female snake, travelled).

Papulankutja Artists paint Tjukurrpa (ancestral creation stories) that express their connections to country and maintain culture, law and storytelling practices in their WA desert community.