Walawuru ngunytju kukaku ananyi (Mother eagles going hunting)
2023
- Medium
- ink and synthetic polymer paint on canvas
- Measurements
- (a-c) 210.5 × 509.0 cm (overall)
- Place/s of Execution
- Amata, South Australia
- Inscription
- (a) inscribed in black paint l.r.: ILUWANTi KEn
- Accession Number
- 2023.600.a-c
- Department
- First Nations Australia
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with funds donated by Beatrice Moignard and NGV Foundation, 2023
© The Artist, Tjala Arts and Jan Murphy Gallery - Gallery location
- Gallery 1
Ground Level, NGV Australia - About this work
-
Senior Pitjantjatjara artist Iluwanti Ken works across painting, weaving and sculpture. Ken is well known for her large-scale ink drawings which feature graphic depictions of mother eagles hunting. These highly detailed drawings are created using punu sticks and express her Tjukurpa (Aṉangu cultural heritage encompassing past, present and future). Ken states that birds like walawuru (eagles) and patupiri (swallows) have lessons for Aṉangu women about how to care for one’s children. She says, ‘I paint the stories of my father’s country – Walawuru Tjukurpa – the story of the eagles.’ These birds build strong wiltjas (shelters) for their family, hunt for food and protect their young from danger.
