1 1

Marie Mudgedell
Purkitji, 2014

Purkitji

$275 AUD
$275 AUD
Sale Sold out
inc. GST
Sugarlift aquatint, printed in blue ink, from one plate.
Edition: 16/25
60.5 × 47cm (sheet)
Printed at Northern Editions, Darwin.

Published by Warlayirti Artists

 

Marie has painted a Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) story for her country north of Balgo around Purkitji (Sturt Creek). The story is of the Seven Sisters who lived as mussels in a place called Ngama Ngama along Purkitji (Sturt Creek). During the Tjukurrpa a transformation took place at Ngama Ngama and the sisters, all of the Napangarti skin group, emerged from Purkitji as people. The sisters then proceeded to teach the Jaru and Walmajarri women living in the area about women’s Law and culture. The shapes in this painting depict the marks the women left in the ground as they performed the dancing ceremonies for this country.

 
———

Marie is the oldest daughter of artist Mati (Bridget) Mudgedell(c.1935-2002). She was born at Sturt Creek Station and later moved to Ruby Plains with her family. Her mother’s country was near Yagga Yagga, Ngarti people’s country. Her father was from Sturt Creek, a place called Killi Killi. Marie left her family to attend the school at Old Balgo Mission. When she finished her schooling, she worked in the laundry of Billiluna Station where she met her husband, fellow artist Patrick (Jupiter) Smith, with whom she moved to Balgo so they could put their children through school. Marie is a highly talented linguist in both Ngardi and Kukatja languages. Marie is one of the last speakers of Ngarti, she and her husband are working on a Ngardi dictionary to ensure the language is not forgotten.

 
View all works by Marie Mudgedell →
View full details