Watiya Tjuta Modal Scarf

'Watiya Tjuta’ Napurrula’s father, Tupa Tjakamarra gave her the right to paint works related to Ilyingaungau in the Gibson Desert. This site, south of Walungurru (Kintore), some 520 kilometres west of Mparntwe (Alice Springs), is where the artist’s Mutikatjirri ancestors assembled their kulata (spears) for a conflict with the Tjukula men. Allusive works that refer to the straightening of kulata by Tjupurrula are among the landmark paintings of the Ikuntji Artists movement’s 30-year history.

Mitjili paints the Watiya Tjuta tree. Mitjili’s style is unique and recognisable. The Watiya Tjuta in Mitjili’s paintings is her father’s Tjukurrpa (dreaming) in Ilyingaungau country (Gibson Desert). This was passed down to her by her mother, Tjunkayi Napaltjareri when story telling, using the same to draw the story as it is told in the traditional way. She remembers “…After I got married, my mother taught me my father’s Tjukurrpa in the sand, that’s what I’m painting on the canvas”, a women’s interpretation.

This scarf is a thicker material than our other cotton lighter scarves. 

Materials: Modal cotton
Size: 70cm x 200cm
Artist: Mitjili Napurrula