Debbie Hansen Australian, Pitjantjatjara, b. 1967
Seven Sisters, 2022
acrylic on linen
137 x 140 cm
22-21
Debbie has painted the site of Cundeelee where she was born and grew up as a young girl. When the Spinifex people came in from further east in the Great...
Debbie has painted the site of Cundeelee where she was born and grew up as a young girl. When the Spinifex people came in from further east in the Great Victoria Desert in the 1940's and 50's they came first to Cundeelee Mission. Cundeelee was chosen for its location on near Upupilypa rockhole, an important Spinifex site associated with the Seven Sisters (Minyma Tjuta) story. The Seven Sisters fly to this area from deep in Spinifex country seeking safety from Nyiiru, an old man who has pursued them far across the desert. In the night sky the sisters can be seen flying and the old man Nyiiru is close behind them. Upupilyapa offered some sanctuary as it was so far to the south. Alas the old man tracked them and the sisters eloped again.
The circles in the painting represent the sacred body painting that is depicted onto the young girls in their transition to womanhood.
The circles in the painting represent the sacred body painting that is depicted onto the young girls in their transition to womanhood.