Martu Paintings & Works On Paper

The Martu have a unique painting practice which is rapidly gaining international attention. With more than forty works featured, these artworks range from illustrative snapshots of ordinary daily life, such as camel hunts and desert football matches, to hypnotically beautiful paintings by senior artists.

These artworks are suffused with the Martu’s experience of the Western Desert and explore major sites, ancestral stories, land use, fire burning practices and life in these remote communities.

Stories of selected paintings are available on audio files to the right. 

Mabel Wakarta, Karlamilyi, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 91 x 91cm

Bugai Whyoulter. Painting my country for my exhibition, 2011; Kalpa, 2010; Kartarru, 2010. All works acrylic on linen, 300 x 125cm

Jakayu Biljabu, Jila Kujarra, 2008, acrylic on canvas, 91 x 46cm 

Jakayu Biljabu, Pitu and Yarturti, 2009, acrylic on linen, 76 x 152 cm

We don't need a map, at Fremantle Arts Centre, 2012

Muuki Taylor, The Seven Sisters, circa 2006, pencil on paper, 42 x 60cm

Muuki Taylor, The Seven Sisters (detail), 2006, pencil on paper, 42 x 60cm

Muuki Taylor, Tali (sandhills), 2008, acrylic on linen, 107 x 91 cm

Nora Nungabar, Minyi Puru - Parnkarpini, 2010, acrylic on linen, 152 x 106 cm

Minyawe Miller, Karlamilyi, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 61 x 46cm 

We don't need a map, at Fremantle Arts Centre, 2012

Rita Simpson, Rawa (with body paint design), 2008, acrylic on canvas, 76 x 122 cm

Mulyatingki Marney and Nancy Chapman Nyanjilpayi, Wilara, 2012, acrylic on canvas, 106 x 152 cm

Ngamaru Bidu, Wikiri, 2011, acrylic on canvas, 106 x 152 cm

Kumpaya Girgiba, Jurnu near Kiwirrikurra, 2011, acrylic on linen, 91 x 91 cm

Anya Judith Samson, Emu tracks near Puntawarri, 2012, acrylic on paper, 90 x 62 cm

Noreena Kadibil, Parnngurr Football Carnival, 2009, acrylic on linen, 122 x 152 cm

Slim Williams, Camel Hunt, 2010, arcylic on canvas, 36 x 46 cm

Noreena Kadibil, Rabbit Proof Fence No. 5, 2010, 60 x 40 cm

Martu artists and visitors in the Main Gallery at Fremantle Arts Centre, during We don't need a map, 2012

Jakayu Biljabu, Kumpaya Girgirba, May Brooks, Nancy Chapman, Mulyatingki Marney and Rosie Williams, Taarlpa, 2012, acrylic on linen, 125 x 300 cm 

OTHER exhibitions