“The Tjukurpa I am painting is about a mamu's place… They have got so much hair on their bodies that it looks like fur. I've carried the image around in my imagination, I can’t think about any other story. I only paint mamu. That's all.”

Naomi Kantjuriny depicts Mamu, the malignant, dangerous spirit powers, usually manifest as monsters, pain or an illness, which derive from traditional Anangu Tjukurpa. Mamu is the term to describe both the evil spiritual force itself, as well as its material embodiments, which come in various forms and with varying powers. The mamu Naomi depicts are evil night dwelling spirits, which are on the hunt for the kurunpa (spirits) of those who have left their sleeping bodies. Mamu usually target the vulnerable, interfering with the sprits of children and those who are unwell or suffering.

As a revered ngankeri, a traditional healer, Naomi works with the spirit world to counter mamu in order to treat the sick and protect community, providing wirunymankupai (healing treatments) through what is called mara ala, meaning open hands. Ngangkari (traditional healers) are trained to safely release the mamu from the sick, and to help reunite people with their kurunpa (spirit) stolen by the mamu.

Naomi’s practice as Ngankeri and her presence in the spirit world informs her artistic practice. In stark black and white palettes, Naomi Kantjuriny depicts mamu tjuta (many mamu), intricately capturing the journeys of the hairy, fearsome spirits as they roam the land at night intent on destruction and evil.

About the artist:

Naomi Kantjuriny is a respected community elder and is a steady leading presence at the art centre. Naomi has been working at Tjala Arts since 2001. An excellent hunter, basket maker and wood carver, Naomi took to painting and drawing with remarkable ease.

Together with her artistic practice, Naomi is also a Ngangkari - traditional healer - specialising in women's and children's health.

Ngangkari provide traditional healing treatments and practices of the mind, body and spirit.

Naomi works across painting and drawing. In her drawings, Naomi depicts mamu, good and bad spirits. Mamu are mainly harmful, dangerous spirit forces, evil spirits, monsters or an illness. They come in different forms and with varying powers. They can also be 'good' spirits helping and looking after people and children.

Naomi also works on collaborative paintings with Mona Mitakiki and Tjimpayi Presley. The ladies were taught to paint by senior artist Kunmanara Katie Kawiny. She has passed away now but the younger women and their granddaughters carry her story on for future generations.