Kings Canyon by Vincent Forrester Muntjantji 122x152cm

The area is home to three ancestral beings: Wayota (possum), Itjatjarri Itjatjarri (marsupial mole), and Kunia (python). This artwork tells the story of a night when these three ancestors stole the bush tucker that Wanambi (rainbow serpent) had hidden near a large waterhole at the side of Uluru.

When Wanambi discovered the missing bush tucker in the morning, he became furious and traveled to Kings Canyon to vent his anger at the three thieves. His rage was so intense that it left black staining on the smooth canyon wall, a mark that can still be seen today.

Vincent Forrester, an Aboriginal Australian activist, artist, and community leader, draws inspiration from great ochre artists like Rover Thomas. His paintings are celebrated for their strength and simplicity of form, and they are emotionally charged with natural ochres used in ceremonies. These materials, collected by his aunties, the traditional owners of the region extending to Kata Tjuta and Uluru, add a deep cultural resonance to his work.