PAKALARANI - TAKING FLIGHT: EMERGING ARTISTS FROM MIMILI

Pakalarani - Taking Flight brings together four emerging artists from the community of Mimili in the APY Lands of Australia. The exhibition showcases the depth of talent that is rising from the community and a continued connection to the artists shared family history.

Anita, Umatji, Amy and Josina learnt the importance of Tjukurpa (dreaming) from their parents, many of whom were senior cultural leaders and artists in the community. Collectively the artists paint some of Mimili most significant song lines, the women’s story of Antara, Maku (witchetty grub) and the Seven Sisters story. Anita Punami's mesmerising paintings have a rich glow that hums with the power of her families stories. Tanya Umatji Tjapalyi’s art practice has quickly taken flight and she has already been recognised as one of the most talented emerging painters in the APY Lands, with her layered ethereal paintings swiftly capturing the art worlds eye.

Amy Yilpi is a talented multidisciplinary artist with a strong knowledge of bush foods. Amy often goes out bush to dig up Maku from the roots of the Witchetty Bush. The soft marks of her paint brush travel across the canvas in a kinetic way that offers opportunities to view her work from a macro and micro perspective. Josina Pumani is the daughter of the late, great Ngupulya Pumani who taught Josina much about cultural leadership and connection to country. Josina’s layered and complex paintings reflect the knowledge of generations of women in her family, and today she is one of the communities brightest rising stars.

Short St Gallery is excited to bring you Pakalarani - Taking Flight.