One of Twelve Kulyakartu Ngurra tie By Wokka Taylor

This work depicts Kulyakartu, a significant site in the far north of the Martu homelands. During pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) times, Taylor and his family travelled to Kulyakartu in the wet season to take advantage of the vast grassy planes that made for excellent hunting.

Wokka and his brother Muuki, also an artist, are highly regarded senior Martu men. Together, they hold an encyclopaedic knowledge of Martu Country, including a deep understanding of the ecology and biodiversity of their land. In collaborative works, the brothers have been known to chart the intricate network of underground waters sustaining their Country.

Taylor’s signature style features densely layered dot work that flows rhythmically across the canvas, suggesting warm winds moving gently over sandhills or soft desert grasses. In this work, Taylor lovingly traces sinuous blue lines that snake their way across the plush grasslands of Kulyakartu, conjuring images of subterranean waters that support the fragile biodiversity of this site.