LEGACY: The Stories Of Ningura Napurrula
This post contains images of artist who is deceased. Viewer discretion is advised. Image of Ningura used with permission of her daughters.
Ningura Napurrula (pictured centre). Her two daughters Susan Gibson (top left) and Glenys Gibson (top right). Ningura’s niece Barbara Reid (bottom left) and Granddaughter Susie Reid (bottom right)
All of these artists depict the Birthing Ceremony which is held at Wirrulnga, near Tjukurla, a medium-sized Aboriginal community located in the Goldfields-Esperance Region of Western Australia, within the Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku. This community is located to the south of Kintore and North of Kalkatjara.
The Birthing Ceremony is performed by the women when a new baby is born. Traditionally, the women gave birth at this sacred site. Today, the ceremony is still held here.
Here are some of the works featured in this exhibition. Click the images to view all artworks by each artist or click the view exhibition button at the top of the page to see the full range of work.
NINGURA NAPURRULA
Ningura was a pioneer of the women’s art movement of Papunya Tula, but she only started painting in 1996. Her works have become highly sought after by collectors world wide. One of her works was commissioned by Musee du Quai Branly, in Paris and is displayed on the ceiling of the museum. The commissioned work was one of 8 installations on the ceilings, roof and facades and was created using large stencils of each artwork. Ningura was very proud of this achievement and often told us about her work being used in this project.
SUSAN GIBSON NAPALTJARRI
GLENYS GIBSON NAPALTJARRI
BARBARA REID NAPANGARDI
SUZIE REID NANGALA
It is amazing to see these four women telling the same story, yet each giving their work a piece of their artists flair. We trust you will enjoy viewing this selection of work and look forward to presenting a small exhibition of new artworks by Fabrianne Nampitjinpa Peterson this week.