ET in the Gibson Desert, 2000 by Linda Syddick Napaltjarri 103x122cm Cat 10608LSN

Influenced by the movie, ET, this series of works painted from 1990 to approximately 1995, show how Linda incorporated new elements and events into her art

Linda was fascinated by ET and identified with his desire to 'go home'.

She was one of the Pintupi people who made first contact with Europeans around 1964-1968.

Much of Linda's paintings are about country and centred around Lake MacKay, a place where she was born. This area was central to the cultural and spiritual life of the Pintupi people for thousands of years and they would travel to the area on their seasonal journeys, camping on the shores and gathering there for ceremonies.

Lake MacKay is a large dry salt lake that straddles the WA-NT border, north-west of Kintore. On occasion it would fill with water and becomes blue, 'like sea water'. When this occurs birds and animals flock to the area.