Melissa Donegan, Walka Wiru Ngura Wiru, 91x61cm
Original Work of Art (they all are!)
Certified by Community Art Centre
Fast & Free Delivery
120 Day Returns
Authenticity Guarantee
Colour Correct Images
1510+ Reviews
- Details
- Artwork
- Artist
- Art Centre
- Aboriginal Artist - Melissa Donegan
- Community - Kalka
- Aboriginal Art Centre - Ninuku Arts
- Catalogue number - 22-49
- Materials - Acrylic on canvas
- Size(cm) - H91 W61 D2
- Postage variants - Artwork posted un-stretched and rolled for safe shipping
- Orientation - Painted from all sides and OK to hang as wished
Walka Wiru Ngura Wiru means lovely country, lovely drawing. This is a painting and composition of dot patterns inspired by the sandy desert features around the Tompkinson ranges of Pipalyatjara, Kalka, and Irrunytju communities where Ninuku artists work.
Melissa Donegan was born in 1969 in the Warburton Ranges of Western Australia. She is the oldest daughter of renowned artist Jimmy Donegan. As a young girl, she lived in Amata where her father worked as a stockman. During the late 1970s and the “Homeland Movement”, her and her family moved to Pipalyatjara to be closer to traditional homelands. Like many other Anangu (people of Pitjantjatjara land) families, Melissa’s moved frequently between the communities of Irrunytju, Pipalyatjara and Amata.
As an adult, she moved to Blackstone, a remote community in Western Australia. It was in Blackstone where she began her career as a painter and was involved in crafting the ‘Tjanpi Toyota’; a lifesize replica of a Toyota Landcruiser made from woven grass. The Tjanpi Toyota was a project she worked on alongside her mother and sister, which won the Telstra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award in 2005. Today, Melissa lives with her family in Kalka community where she continues to paint. Her paintings are often inspired by ‘Tjukurpa’ (traditional stories), including those associated with ‘Wati Kutjarra’ and ‘Kungkarrakalpa’. She is also a dedicated arts worker at Ninuku Arts Centre.
Ninuku Arts is a wholly-Indigenous owned and governed Art Centre which supports artists from two communities - Pipalyatjara and Kalka. Each have populations of around 100-150 Anangu and the majority are Pitjantjatjara speakers – Anangu simply means ‘people’ in Pitjantjatjara. Both communities are located in the far north-western corner of South Australia, near the tri-state border of South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory. The two communities, fourteen kilometres apart, are surrounded by the rolling, rocky hills of the Tomkinson Ranges and are part of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. Both Kalka and Pipalyatjara are peaceful places. This is a result of strong governance, cultural engagement and pride among local Anangu.
The Art Centre itself is located in Kalka and is housed in a mud-brick building (the only one in the Lands), which was built as an office in the early 1980’s by Anangu and white staff, and has since been extended to accommodate the growing number of artists keen to paint. A silver bullet caravan (formerly a mobile health unit) is also located on site, and has become a place for some artists to paint, mostly during the winter months while the morning sun warms the deck. Despite being the most remote art centre on the APY Lands, having limited working space and access to services, Ninuku Arts has continued to grow in success with each year. The artist’s commitment to both the art centre and painting is unflappable. The art centre prides itself on its inclusivity (providing opportunities for all generations) and embracing individuality in artists.
Unique and Original Aboriginal Art in the United States
Life is better with art, and this beautiful, original piece will be a conversation starter for years to come. Delivered to the USA in around a week, your new artwork will arrive exactly as you see it online—lovingly packed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the community-based, not-for-profit art centre. With colour-accurate images and seamless service, we guarantee that your artwork will arrive promptly and as expected. Enjoy fast, free delivery and 120-day returns, and rest easy knowing you've made an ethical purchase.
*For international orders under $500 AUD, a $30 AUD postage fee applies; otherwise, shipping is free
United States Deliveries and Customs
Fortunately, unlike in most parts of the world, original artworks delivered to the USA are exempt from import duties. This means no additional fees and no lengthy customs delays.
Authenticity Documents
While certificates of authenticity are common, only those from community-based Aboriginal art centres provide assurance of ethical sourcing and documentation. Certificates issued by non-community galleries do not reflect ethical practices, so it's essential to check the origin.
At ART ARK®, every artwork includes a certificate of authenticity issued by the community-run art centre where it was created. Learn more about Aboriginal Art Authenticity.
Framing Aboriginal Art
We deliver artworks exactly as they arrive from the art centres, ensuring transparent pricing with no additional costs. Prices are based on what each centre sets, and we include free postage.
Our canvas and linen paintings are sent rolled for easy re-stretching at your local framer. Bark paintings and smaller works in our Stretched Desert Paintings collection arrive ready to hang. Watercolours should be framed behind glass, whether in a custom or pre-made frame. Learn more about Framing Aboriginal Art.
Customer Testimonials
Our customers consistently praise our fast deliveries, the accuracy of our images, and our ethical business model.
Please read our Customer Reviews to learn more.