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Robin Kankapankatja: Punu-ku Walalkara - Trees of Walalkara 2012


Details

  • No.:RK1007
  • Medium:Acrylic on Belgian Linen
  • Size:152 × 102 cm
  • Year:2012
  • Region:APY Lands (East)
  • Art Centre:Kaltjiti Arts
  • Status:

Robin's theme is always his traditional country, Walalkara, 700,000 hectares of the Great Victoria Desert protected as the Walalkara Indigenous Protected Area (IPA). 65 kilometres south west of Kaltjiti, this region has one of the highest deversity of reptile species found anywhere in the world. An expert tracker, he has an intimate knowledge of the animals and plants. He creates maps of his country with an easy sense of space and openness. This is the Yankunitjatjara country of the artist Robin Kankapankatja, as senior traditional elder, and his family. They are nguraritja, the people who belong to this south country of Walalkara in the far north west of South Australia on the APY Lands.

Robin's latest works depict the trees from Walalkara. Mulga - Kurku - are prolific as are the Hakea - corkwoods - Witjitnti; Maku - witchetty grub bushes. These all supply food, warmth and shelter for people, animals and birds.

This diaristic view depicts Robin's memories from growing up in the bush. He saw a 'whitefella' for the first time at Shirley Well when he was a young teenage boy. As a young man, he worked with cattle at Welbourne Hill and Everard Park. He grew up around Welbourne Hill, and Everard Park stations learning from his father.


Special provisions apply to this artwork. Reproductions of the artwork and its story in part or in whole in any form require the permission of the artist. We are only too happy to be of assistance in this matter.