This collection brings together works by senior and emerging artists, reflecting the intergenerational sharing of knowledge across NPY communities from kami (grandmothers), ngunytju (mothers), untal(pa) (daughters), kangkuru (sisters) and kuntili (aunties).

For NPY women, weaving is deeply connected to time spent together out bush - collecting tjanpi (native desert grasses), hunting, visiting Country and sharing stories and skills. These works celebrate not only individual expression, but the strength of working together, learning from one another, and keeping connections strong.

About the artist:

Kenta is an artist belonging to the Pitjantjatjara language and cultural group and lives in Pukatja (Ernabella) in South Australia.

Imuna was born in 1948 at Pipalyatjara. As a child she moved east to Ernabella, where she attended the mission school and then worked in the craftroom. She travelled with the Ernabella Choir several times in the 1960s and 1970s to Adelaide and Alice Springs, and again in 2004. She continues to sing with the choir today, recently attending the Mutitjulu 40 year celebration commemorating the handback. Imuna has spent much of her adult life caring for a large family and a disabled daughter, living at the homelands Turkey Bore, Balfours Well and now in Pukatja (Ernabella).

Imuna has been weaving since 2005, and quickly moved from making small baskets to quirky sculptural pieces. Usually depicting animals which surround her home community of Pukatja, such as kangaroos, goannas, camels and dogs, her work is always strong, proud and full of character. Imuna is a lead artist in her home community and a key weaver, giving guidance and inspiration to others with her courage to experiment in her arts practice.

Tjanpi Desert Weavers (Tjanpi meaning ‘wild grass’) is an award-winning, Indigenous governed and directed social enterprise of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council (NPYWC). Tjanpi empowers over 400 women across a 350 000 square km area of the tri-state region of NT, SA and WA to earn an income and remain in their communities on Country.