Lot 52
Napaltjarri Sisters
Molly Jugadai
73 x 137 cm
Acrylic on linen
Bid on this piece
This piece comes professionally stretched.
About the Artist
Maluya Jugadai (Molly) was the eldest daughter of Narputta Nangala. Maluya was instrumental in the establishment of Ikuntji Art Centre in 1992. Maluya was born under a Ngalta tree about three kilometres west of the existing Haasts Bluff community in 1954, shortly after the establishment of the mission community of the period. A Napaltjarri skin woman, Maluya in her first decade of artistry initially painted the story of the “Napaltjarri Children (or Sisters)” who came in space ships to earth thousands of years ago. They represent the first people on earth. The children travel the country every night seeking dew and mungari amid the vegetation of the desert. Due to illness her mother, Narputta, has granted Molly permission to paint the story of the massive saltlake, Kaarkurutintya (Lake MacDonald), which is the sacred country of Narputta. Surrounded by tali, or sand hills, the lake is mostly depicted during the dry season, but is sometimes painted as it appears after heavy rains. Molly passed away in May 2011.
About the Work
In this work Molly is celebrated her personal tjukurrpa
(law) and the strong individual characters contained within her story - the Napaltjarri Sisters. These creation beings maintain a close connection with the landscape to the present day and visit the earth in
winter to feast of its bounty and care for the special places. Their actions provided directions for Molly to follow throughout her own life to keep the land strong.
