Ngura (Country)
2023
Medium
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
Measurements
(1-2) 241.9 × 300.0 cm (overall)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with funds donated by Country Road for the Country Road + NGV First Nations Commissions, 2024
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
Elder and senior cultural leader Alec Baker and younger artist and arts worker Eric Barney from Indulkana have worked as a collaborative duo since 2021. Their recent painting Ngura (Country) depicts the rocky hills and the Tjukurrpa of the women near the rock holes, detailing features that define Yankunytajtjara Country. Baker identifies the puṉu (trees) as particularly special: ‘I have painted the trees of this Country as a tribute for another old man who has passed away, Kunmanara Mungkuri’, who taught Baker about painting puṉu. Ngura (Country) provides us with a cosmic display of sacred understandings, transferred from Baker to Barney throughout the intimate process of this work and through their ongoing collaboration.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Indulkana, South Australia
Inscription
(1) inscribed in fibre-tipped pen on reverse u.l.: 311-23
inscribed in fibre on reverse u.c.r.: 122 x 304 cm
inscribed in fibre on reverse u.r.: Iwantja Arts
(2) inscribed in fibre-tipped pen on reverse u.l.: 242-23
inscribed in fibre on reverse u.c.l.: Alec Baker + Eric Barney
inscribed in fibre on reverse u.c.r.: 122 x 304 cm
inscribed in fibre on reverse u.r.: Iwantja Arts
Accession Number
2024.172.1-2
Department
First Nations Australia