Audrey Brumby, Tjukula Tjuta, 121x71cm

Tjukula Tjuta (many rockholes) "People go out to the rockholes to get kapi (water) we know the names from a long time ago for all the rockholes, when it rains, we know there is big kapi in the rockhole and we can get fresh water."

For the Pitjantjatjara people living in the central and western desert, knowledge of the water sources was crucial to survival. The deep familiarity with their country ensured constant sources of water and food could be found and this intimate understanding of the landscape continues today. 'Tjukula' means rock-holes or waterholes. Anangu often protect these water sources by using rocks and spinifex to form a barrier to animals and, in more recent times, to protect from feral and stock animals.

Audrey was born in Ernabella, South Australia in 1967. She was a school teacher there for many years and now resides in Adelaide, South Australia. The Brumby family are from the Pitjantjatjara people and lands and speak the Anangu language. Audrey has been part of the Ernabella art collective and can remember when they were taught batik techniques in the 1980s as part of a cultural exchange. Some of her work reflects this early experience with a canting. She has been a productive and passionate painter and has displayed work at Tandanya and has major works installed at the AEU building (SA), Australian Taxation Office (SA), the Adelaide Hilton (in 2017) and in 2014 the historic Brookman Hall, UNISA, Adelaide. Audrey actively works as a Pitjantjatjara translator and has also illustrated a series of children’s books written in both English and Pitjantjatjara language. Her work reflects dreaming, country-flora, travel through Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands and bush tucker.

Iwiṟi was established by Aṉangu in 2018, many of whom had been forced to move to Adelaide due to chronic health conditions and lack of services in their home communities. Living far from their traditional homelands, Anangu were concerned about the cultural and social isolation they were experiencing and saw a need to act.  Iwiri was formed initially to help retain, promote and transmit Anangu culture and language through the areas of arts, language, knowledge and community. Since then Iwiṟi has grown rapidly into an organization that delivers  a range of programs that aim to strengthen and advance Aṉangu wellbeing.

Iwiri strengthens the Aṉangu community through cultural and arts activities, creating employment opportunities and enterprise development. We want our young people to be strong in their language and culture and to take up opportunities to work in our community.

We take great pride in offering high-quality, authentic Aboriginal Art pieces to you. However, we are aware that there have been instances (and recent press relating to the unaffiliated APYACC) in the Aboriginal Art market where the authenticity of some artworks has been called into question. We want to assure you and all of our customers that we firmly stand behind the authenticity of every artwork we sell.

In addition to our extended 120 days standard returns, we are pleased to offer a lifetime money-back authenticity guarantee to all customers who purchase Aboriginal Art from us, both past and present. This guarantee covers any disrepute or wrongdoing in association with the authenticity of any Aboriginal artwork sold by ART ARK®. We understand that purchasing authentic Aboriginal Art is important to you, and we want to provide you with peace of mind in knowing that they are getting what you paid for.

As part of our commitment to authentic Aboriginal Art, we work with reputable Aboriginal Art centres that we know are committed to maintaining the integrity of Aboriginal Art. Additionally, we continually monitor all aspects of the Aboriginal Art market and are acutely aware of, and are proactive in addressing any issues arising.

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