Anumara
2014
acrylic on canvas
100 x 180 cm
Private Collection, Perth
© The artist and Ernabella Arts
Yurpiya is painting a place called Anumara, which is a place near Irrunytju (Wingellina) in WA. This is Yurpiya's family's country. Anumara is also the name for a kind of catterpillar and Anumara is the tjukurpa (dreaming) place for this catterpillar. This catterpillar lives in the grass and can be eaten if the grass it eats is removed. The place shares the same colours of the caterpillar - brown, yellow and pale green. Keeping this place safe will ensure that the caterpillars multiply.
Yurpiya Lionel
Born: 1960 Donald’s Well SA
Pitjantjatjara language group
Art Centre: Ernabella Arts, Pukatja SA
Yurpiya was born at the homeland Donald’s Well, near Kenmore Park, east of Ernabella in South Australia. She is the daughter of Pantjiti Lionel, a very senior Pitjantjatjara woman and artist. Her family lived in Ernabella where she attended school. In 2004 Yurpiya started painting at Ernabella Arts. She has three children and several grandchildren - her daughters Rachael and Alison Lionel are emerging painters and ceramic artists. Yurpiya is also a very accomplished fibre sculptor and weaver.
