Kumpultjirril by Rosie Nanyuma
Kumpultjirril by Rosie Nanyuma
Rosie Nanyuma
c. 1940 - 2004
30 x 22cm
Glass
Signed Rosie Nanyuma
Catalogue : 845/03
Rosie has depicted some country to the south of Balgowlah named Kumpuljirril. This is the country of Rosie’s grandmother. There is an important rock hole here as well as intermittent creeks, around which people camped while they collected kumpuptja (bush tomato), yakatjirri (a small seed) and tjirrilpatja (bush carrot).
Balgo art is known for its vibrant colour and bold compositions, and these qualities have transferred effectively to the medium of glass. Warlayirti Artist Balgo is the first Indigenous art centre to work in fused coloured glass. For the artists working with the coloured glass, frit and rod, is like creating glass ‘paintings’.
These works show their skills as artists as they effortlessly move into the medium of glass and create works of exceptional quality. Each glass work is catalogued, has its unique catalogued number and the artist’s name engraved on the underside.
Selected glass works have been successfully exhibited at the Fremantle Art Centre, Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, Framed Gallery, Darwin, Galerie DAD, France.
During her childhood, Rosie Nanyuma grew up at the old Balgo mission, spending time at Mintirr Rockhole with other local family groups. As a young woman, she worked with the children in the kindergarten. Later, she worked at Lake Stretch Station near Billiluna trapping, killing, and skinning dingo pups in exchange for food. In 1962, the community moved to Wirrimanu where a new mission was established. She was in her late 40s, and a custodian of women's law and ceremony when she began painting in 1989. Over the following decade her work was exhibited widely across Australia and overseas. Her main themes were the travels of the Tingari men and women, and Wati Kutjarra, two men Dreaming.
COLLECTIONS
Art Gallery of Western Australia
National Gallery of Victoria
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Shepparton Art Museum