Spirits, Snakes & Honey Ants (Mamu, Wanampi & Tjala): Naomi Kantjuriny, Christy Young & Sharon Adamson
Past exhibition
Short St Gallery presents Spirits, Snakes & Honey Ants (Mamu, Wanampi & Tjala) featuring three exceptional rising female artists; Christy Young, Sharon Adamson, and Naomi Kantjuriny. Each artist approaches their practice in entirely separate and unique ways to recreate the stories of their Tjukurpa (creation story) thru art.
Christy Young paints the Tjala Tjurkurpa (Honey Ant Story), depicting women’s country near Amata in South Australia. This story is an important link in Anangu mythology and inter-dependence on the environment. Christy uses ink and paint to lay down intricate shapes and details to tell the story. She captivates the viewer with a sparse and clever use of colour, creating strong yet delicate work that encourages our eye to trace the fine lines within.
On the other spectrum, Sharon Adamson’s paintings embrace a fearless use of bold vibrant colours and brushstrokes. Sharon captures the stories of the Wanampi Tjukurpa (Snake creation story) that has been passed down from her grandfather, the late Kunmanara Tiger Palpatja. The Wanampi is believed to be the bearer of rain and Sharon's artwork depicts her country sculpted by the water snakes that replenish the land and fill the water holes; the creation story signifying the importance of the Wanampi to her ancestors
Naomi Kantjuriny is a revered Ngankeri (traditional healer). She works with the spirit world to counter the Mamu (dangerous spirits), in order to treat the sick and protect the community. Her presence as a Ngankeri informs her art practice and in Spirits, Snakes & Honey Ants, she has used a black and white palette to depict the Mamu roaming the land at night. Her esteemed position in the community is matched by her strong artistic career which has seen her work collected in numerous respected art collections and institutions worldwide, alongside her fellow exhibitionists.
Christy Young paints the Tjala Tjurkurpa (Honey Ant Story), depicting women’s country near Amata in South Australia. This story is an important link in Anangu mythology and inter-dependence on the environment. Christy uses ink and paint to lay down intricate shapes and details to tell the story. She captivates the viewer with a sparse and clever use of colour, creating strong yet delicate work that encourages our eye to trace the fine lines within.
On the other spectrum, Sharon Adamson’s paintings embrace a fearless use of bold vibrant colours and brushstrokes. Sharon captures the stories of the Wanampi Tjukurpa (Snake creation story) that has been passed down from her grandfather, the late Kunmanara Tiger Palpatja. The Wanampi is believed to be the bearer of rain and Sharon's artwork depicts her country sculpted by the water snakes that replenish the land and fill the water holes; the creation story signifying the importance of the Wanampi to her ancestors
Naomi Kantjuriny is a revered Ngankeri (traditional healer). She works with the spirit world to counter the Mamu (dangerous spirits), in order to treat the sick and protect the community. Her presence as a Ngankeri informs her art practice and in Spirits, Snakes & Honey Ants, she has used a black and white palette to depict the Mamu roaming the land at night. Her esteemed position in the community is matched by her strong artistic career which has seen her work collected in numerous respected art collections and institutions worldwide, alongside her fellow exhibitionists.