Minyma Ninti Pulka – WISE WOMEN
Minyma Ninti Pulka – WISE WOMEN – showcases powerful paintings by Indigenous women, preserving cultural knowledge, stories, and survival wisdom across generations. At JGM gallery, London, until 30 May. Visit: https://www.jgmgallery.com/exhibitions/75-minyma-ninti-pulka-wise-women-an-exhibition-of-paintings-by-ten-indigenous-contemporary/
Minyma Ninti Pulka: Wise Women is an exhibition at JGM Gallery featuring ten Indigenous women artists from Tjala Arts in Amata, South Australia. These artists belong to the Pitjantjatjara language group and work on Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands. Their paintings aim to pass on important cultural knowledge to younger generations. Through art, they teach about survival, ancestral stories, animals, and landscapes.
Two central themes dominate the exhibition: the Seven Sisters tjukurpa (Dreaming) and kapi tjukula (rock holes). The Seven Sisters story, tied to the Pleiades constellation, tells of women escaping a shapeshifting pursuer. Rock holes, essential for collecting rainwater in the desert, often appear in these stories. Both themes highlight the deep connection between storytelling, land, and survival.
Moreover, the exhibition emphasizes collaboration among generations. Families like the Burtons, Mitakikis, and Kens work together, sharing styles and knowledge. For example, the Mitakiki Women’s Collaborative features works that visually connect through shared composition and symbolism.
These paintings serve as memory tools and cultural blueprints. They preserve identity while teaching future generations. Ultimately, Minyma Ninti Pulka celebrates women as cultural leaders and educators. It reaffirms the essential role of Indigenous women’s knowledge in both community life and broader cultural understanding.
Featuring works by
Mitakiki Women’s Collaborative, Tjimpayi Presley, Mona Mitakiki Shepherd, Naomi Kantjuriny, Joylene Presley, Angela Burton, Barbara Mbitjana Moore, Veronica Lewis, Freda Brady, Janie Kulyuru Lewis, Deborah Burton
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