Margy Williams-Cooper, Minyma Kutjara - Two Sisters, 60x60cm

• Aboriginal Artist - Margy Williams-Cooper
• Community - Ikuntji (Haasts Bluff)
• Aboriginal Art Centre - Ikuntji Artists
• Catalogue number - 19-MWC100
• Materials - Acrylic on canvas
• Size(cm) - H60 W60 D2 
• Postage variants - Artwork posted unstretched and rolled for safe shipping
• Orientation - Painted from all sides and OK to hang as wished

This painting depicts the Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) of Minyma Kutjara (Two Sisters) travelling on Ngaanyatjarra Country from Irrunytju country, to Docker River, continuing to Kintore. When the women arrived at Irrunytju they began to dance with nulla nulla (dancing sticks), creating a big waru (fire). After the waru went out, a big water appeared, now known as Wana Wani Rockhole. Margy depicts the waru and water with vibrant colours, often showing the two sisters sitting near the water. This Tjukurrpa was passed down to Maggie from her grandmother, Kuntjil Cooper, a senior Pitjantjatjara artist from Irrunytju.

Margy was born in Alice Springs in 1978. Her father Kelly Williams, is from Pukatja (Ernabella), South Australia and her mother Aleen Cooper, is from Irrunytju (Wingellina), Western Australia. Margy grew up with her grandmother, Kuntjil Cooper Napurulla, in Irrunytju country. Her grandmother was both in 1920 at Irrunytju rockhole and was a senior Pitjantjatjara artist with extensive knowledge of Irrunytju country. Margy remembers watching her grandmother paint from a young age, helping her with cups of water and listening to her stories. It is from her grandmother that Margy was passed down the Tjukurrpa (dreaming) of Minyma Kutjara (Two Sisters). Since the passing of her grandmother, Margy has continued to paint this Tjukurrpa. In 2017 she came to Ikuntji (Haasts Bluff) where she now lives with her partner, Joseph Zimran. 

A lot of stories are still being recounted of long journeys of people from various language groups, who travelled from rockholes and waterholes to caves and mountains finally arriving at Haasts Bluff. The locals, Luritja people of Haasts Bluff, were already here. Thus Haasts Bluff is a community rich of diversity in language and culture.

Ikuntji Artists was first established in 1992, after a series of workshops with Melbourne artist Marina Strocchi, and under the influence of the then community president, the late Esther Jugadai. The art centre was initially set up to fulfil the role of women’s centre providing services such as catering for old people and children in the community. After first experiences made in printing T-shirts, the artists began producing acrylic paintings on linen and handmade paper, which quickly gained the attention of the Australian and international art world as well as earning the centre an impressive reputation for fine art. The focus changed from a women’s centre to an art centre in 2005 with the incorporation of the art centre as Ikuntji Artists Aboriginal Corporation.

The artists draw their inspiration from their personal ngurra (country) and Tjukurrpa (Dreaming). They interpret the ancestral stories by using traditional symbols, icons and motifs. The artistic repertoire of Ikuntji Artists is diverse and includes for example: naive as well as highly abstract paintings told by each artist in their personal signature style. Throughout the 21 years of its existence the art movement in Ikuntji has flourished and constantly left its mark in the fine art world. At the same time the art centre has been the cultural hub of the community, maintaining, reinforcing and reinvigorating cultural practices through art-making.

Today Ikuntji Artists has eight key artists, who exhibit in Australia and internationally. They are represented in major collections across the globe.

Text: Melanie Greiner, Alison Multa and Dr Chrischona Schmidt