Look Into The Sky To See The Seven Sisters …

On a clear night, look up, and you’ll see a cluster of stars—the Pleiades. But did you know this celestial formation is the heart of a fascinating ancestral story known as the story of the Seven Sisters? This story holds deep significance in the Tjukurrpa (Dreaming), an essential part of the spiritual beliefs of many First Nations groups in Australia. Its themes transcend borders, resonating with cultures around the world.

The Seven Sisters story is a central theme in WARLUKURLANGU | The Art of Yuendumu, Artitja Fine Art Gallery’s first exhibition of the year, held at Earlywork in South Fremantle.

The exhibition features a series of paintings by Athena Nangala Granites, whose ethereal depictions of the night sky capture the tale’s essence—the pursuit of seven sisters by an infatuated man. As the women flee his advances, they transform into fire and ascend to the heavens, becoming the stars we see today.

Established in 1985, Warlukurlangu Artists is one of the longest-running and most successful Aboriginal-owned art centres in Central Australia. Located approximately 400 km northwest of Alice Springs, the centre has built an enduring legacy, gaining international recognition for its vibrant art and community-focused initiatives.

Gallery owner and exhibition curator Anna Kanaris has collaborated with the art centre for over two decades, exhibiting many of its artists during that time. She feels privileged to have met some of its early founders and painters, including Paddy Stewart, Shorty Jangala Robertson, and Judy Napangardi Watson.

It is no coincidence that the exhibition’s opening falls on International Women’s Day, celebrating the talented women artists from this remote community.

A special Q&A event will be held on the opening weekend, featuring guest speaker and long-time co-manager of the art centre, Cecilia Alfonso OAM, in conversation with Anna Kanaris. This rare opportunity will offer first hand insights into the challenges and triumphs of running a remote community art centre. Bookings are essential via Eventbrite below.

Warlukurlangu artists are renowned for their bold use of colour, conveying important Jukurrpa (Dreaming) stories with striking beauty. Their works remain accessible to a wide range of collectors, ensuring affordability without compromising artistic integrity.

WARLUKURLANGU | The Art of Yuendumu is free to the public. Exhibiting at EARLYWORK – 330 South Terrace, South Fremantle. 8-30 March – open Wednesday to Sunday 10am – 4pm.

Q & A event bookings via Eventbrite or info@artitja.com.au .

Btw, Artitja Fine Art Gallery was established in 2004 in South Fremantle and is a signatory to the Indigenous Art Code committed to ethical business practice.

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