Minyma Kutjara - Two Sisters
2010
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
144 x 200 cm
Private Collection
© The artist and Tjungu Palya
In this work Maringka has painted the Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa, the creation story of the Two Sisters:
The big sister was travelling with her younger sister back to their homeland. The little sister was reluctant to head further and further north as she had been living with a different family near the ocean to the south. She had been lost a long time and didn't know this country the big sister was showing her. Her sister gave her a piggyback and tried to comfort her. She was teaching her all about the country they travelled through. Sometimes when they stopped they performed Inma (sacred singing and dancing). They camped at Punuwara and Irrunytju rockhole before heading further north to Docker River.
Maringka Baker
Born: c.1952 Kaliumpil rockhole WA
Language group Pitjantjatjara
Art Centre: Tjungu Palya, Nyapari SA
Maringka Baker is a senior Pitjantjatjara artist living in the remote community settlement of Kanpi, near Nyapari, where she paints at Tjungu Palya art centre. She was born at Kaliumpil rock hole, a traditional camping area in Western Australia. Maringka's parents died when she was young and she was raised by artist Anmanari Brown and other members of her extended family. She went to the mission schools of Warburton and Ernabella.
Maringka has a deep connection to country and a spiritual connection with the land. These powerful links to the desert are expressed with beauty and integrity in her canvas paintings.
