Martumili News

It’s a rare and special opportunity to experience a group show featuring solely Martumili Artists in Perth. The recent Powerhouse Wanti (Powerhouse Woman), shown at Moores Building Art Space between May 25th and June 9th, marked such an occasion. The exhibition, presenting a stunning collection of works in celebration of the resilience and strength of Martu women’s culture, was worth the wait!

Sitting down for a cuppa tea today is Sarafina Dickie. Artist, Arts Worker and Mum! Chatting to us from the sunny garden at Martumili Sarafina talks to us about her early life, how she started working at Martumili and how she dreamt her painting sold only to wake up the next day and find out it had!

Many of the works by Martumili artists are representations of Country as defined by familial ties- artists paint “where their family is from and where they belong to” (Kuru Gladys Bidu). One’s Country encompasses their birthplace, and the Country they and their family lived on during the pujiman (traditional, desert dweller) era. Following in footsteps charts this relationship between family walytja and Country.

Joining us for a cuppa tea or should I say coffee, is arts worker and artist Wendy Nanji. Wendy has worked in the arts for many years, first with Spinifex Hill Studio in Port Hedland and now with Martumili Artists. Wendy brings with her an infectious smile that cheers everyone up as soon as she walks in the door!

If you’re curious to learn more about Martumili’s volunteer program, read an account from one of our recent volunteers, who very kindly wrote about their experience at our Newman studio in Western Australia.

Chatting with former Martumili Artists manager, Gabrielle Sullivan, discover the humble beginnings of our now legendary annual Christmas sale, when Martumili Artists’ office space comprised of a single desk in the Shire of East Pilbara’s Council Chambers, and the sale event saw the floors, tables and walls being covered with artworks for three days.

“Bugai always tells about Wantili (Warntili, Canning Stock Route Well 25) because she grew up around Wantili. She saw whitefellas there for the first time.”

– Bugai Whyoulter, as translated by her grandson, Cyril Whyoulter

We chatted with Martumili artist Helen Dale Samson in the leadup to the Christmas sale about her exciting recent collaboration with Specsavers Australia for their Fred Hollows project, which has resulted in the production of three gorgeous, limited-edition frame styles featuring her artwork, ’Puntawarri’.

From stretching canvas, mixing paint to driving 850km to deliver materials. The production of one painting requires a whole team of dedicated arts workers who operate behind the scenes to ensure artists have access to materials, so they can do what they do best – make art!