Published on Wednesday, 31 July 2024 at 11:02:39 AM
For Immediate Release
31 July 2024
Mural for all to enjoy at Miners Promise Park
The vibrant artwork of Martumili artist Marlene Anderson will be transformed into a colourful mural to be installed by Mel McVee (of Melski Art) on the footpath at Miner’s Promise Park in East Newman.
Shire President Anthony Middleton said the mural project received Regional Economic Development Grant Funding and will link into the East Newman Art Trail via the Martumili Tourism App, still being developed.
“Marlene is an active member of the Newman community working at Martumili Artists, Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa and with Martu Patrol, who patrol the streets of Newman at night picking up young people who are out and about,” Cr Middleton said.
“Marlene has been painting with Martumili artists for over seven years. Her work is vibrant and dynamic, telling the story of where she grew up. The mural project sits within Martumili’s broader vision that sees a world where each generation of Martu are empowered through Ninti, (knowledge) and are engaged as leaders of Martu culture and creativity.
Marlene’s work is called ‘Kun Kun’ (Kuny-kuny) which is a soak accessing a large body of underground water, located southeast of Kunawarritji (Canning Stock Route Well 33). The site is sacred for its association with the marlu (kangaroo) Jukurrpa (Dreaming) and was an important ceremonial site during the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) period.
At this Time, Martu would traverse very large distances annually in small family groups, moving seasonally from water source to water source, and hunting and gathering bush tucker as they went. Knowledge of water sources was critical for survival. Each of the hundreds of claypans, rockholes, waterholes, soaks and springs found in the Martu desert homelands is known by name, location, quality and seasonal availability through real life experience and the recounting of Jukurrpa narratives.
Soaks, or soakwaters, derive their name from the manner in which their waters generally seep into the sand from below stores, as part of an ephemeral river or creek.
Martumili Artists was established in late 2006 and supports Martu artists in Kunawarritji, Punmu, Parnngurr, Jigalong, Warralong, Irrungadji (Nullagine) and Parnpajinya (Newman Their works reflect the dramatic geography and scale of their homelands in the Great Sandy Desert and Rudall River regions of Western Australia. Martumili Artists represents speakers of Manyjilyjarra, Warnman, Kartujarra, Puijarra and Martu Wangka languages, many of whom experienced first contact with Europeans in the 1960s. The artists include painters, working in acrylics and oils, as well as weavers coiling baskets and sculptors working in wood, grass and wool. Martu artists proudly maintain their creative practices whilst pursuing social and cultural obligations across the Martu homelands.
Cr Middleton said the mural gave Martu artists the opportunity to see their work in public spaces. He said the 120-metre-long artwork will showcase the vibrant culture of the region.
The Train Park is situated at 19 Nimingarra Dr, Newman.
ENDS
Shire of East Pilbara Phone: (08) 9175 8000
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