Martumili Artists: Martu People, Parnpajinya (Newman), East Pilbara, WA
In 2006, a Martu woman named Kumpaya Girgirba walked into the Shire of East Pilbara offices in Newman and asked for a space where Martu artists could paint and sell their work. The first sales were held in the Shire's council chambers and in the car park at the back of the building. That is how Martumili Artists began. The name means "belonging to Martu" in Martu Wangka. Kumpaya Girgirba had learned to paint and weave while visiting family in Balgo, Fitzroy Crossing, and Patjarr, and brought those skills back to her community, inspiring artists including Jakayu Biljabu, Ngamaru Bidu, and Ngarga Thelma Judson. Most Martu people had lived entirely independent, nomadic desert lives until a long and severe drought in the 1950s and 1960s drew them into settlements. In 2007, Martumili held its first formal exhibition, Martu-la wakarnu kuwarri wiyaju (Martu painting together first time), at William Mora Galleries in Melbourne.
The centre is based at the East Pilbara Arts Centre on Newman Drive, Parnpajinya (Newman), purpose-built and opened in 2016 to a design by architects Officer Woods. From that hub, staff travel up to 800km to support artists across six remote communities: Punmu, Parnngurr, Kunawarritji, Jigalong, Irrungadji (Nullagine), and Warralong. Martumili works with over 300 artists across those communities. The Martu are the traditional custodians of vast stretches of the Great Sandy, Little Sandy, and Gibson Deserts, as well as Karlamilyi (Rudall River) National Park, over 130,000 square kilometres recognised under Martu native title. Works from Martumili are held in the collections of the National Gallery of Victoria, the National Museum of Australia, and other major institutions. Martumili Artists is an activity of the Shire of East Pilbara.
Martumili Artists at a glance
- Location: East Pilbara Arts Centre, Newman Drive, Parnpajinya (Newman), WA 6753.
- Established: 2006, founded by Kumpaya Girgirba and the Martu community.
- People: Martu, speakers of Manyjilyjarra, Warnman, Kartujarra, Putjarra, and Martu Wangka. Traditional custodians of the Great Sandy, Little Sandy, and Gibson Deserts and Karlamilyi (Rudall River) area.
- Artists: Over 300 across six communities.
- Art forms: Acrylic and oil painting on canvas, fibre weaving (coiled baskets), wood and grass sculpture.
- Notable artists: Kumpaya Girgirba, Jakayu Biljabu (dec.), Nora Wompi (dec.), Ngamaru Bidu, Muuki Taylor OAM, Kanu Nancy Taylor (dec.).
- Access: Gallery open to visitors at the East Pilbara Arts Centre in Newman. No permit required to visit Newman.
