Tjala Artists 2011 : Recent artwork from Tjala
Past exhibition
Mick Wikilyiri Australian, Pitjantjatjara, b. c.1940
Tjala Tjukurpa - Honey Ant Story
acrylic on linen
152.5 x 101 cm
788144
Mick is telling the story of the Tjala or Honey Ants which are found about a metre underground beneath Mulga trees. The Honey Ant tunnels that lead down to the...
Mick is telling the story of the Tjala or Honey Ants which are found about a metre underground beneath Mulga trees. The Honey Ant tunnels that lead down to the ants nests are called nyinantu. The Honey Ant larvae are called ipilykaipilyka. Honey Ants are a highly favoured food source. When the Pitjantjatjara go looking for Honey Ants they look for the drill holes under the trees. When they see them, they shovel and dig down, following the tunnels to find the Honey Ants inside. They suck the honey-like liquid from the abdomen of the Honey Ant. The story of the Honey Ant is told across the Northern Territory into South Australia. The Honey Ant is an important link betweem Anangu mythology and inter-dependence on the environment. The Honey Ant Ancestors are related to the country around Amata.