"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 let 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 Tjala Arts

Tjala Arts is located at Amata Community, in the far northwest of South Australia. It is an Aboriginal owned and managed corporation that sells artwork on behalf of its members. Since its foundation in 1999 (originally as Minymaku Arts) Tjala Arts has concentrated on adapting traditional aboriginal symbols and designs to create contemporary abstract imagery. The centre provides an opportunity for the Anangu (Pitjantjatjara Aboriginal people) to develop skills in fine art and regional craft production. The art centre also plays a significant role in the well-being of the community and maintaining culture and law.