Purkitji 2008 by Denise Long, Balgo, 120x40cm

Purkitji 2008 by Denise Long is country around Purkitji (Sturt Creek) north of Balgo. The squares represent Purkitji, and the milk water which is generated during the wet season after heavy rains.

Denise Long is from Balgo, a community in Western Australia and is linked with the both the Great Sandy Desert and the Tanami Desert.

The vibrant art centre is Walayirti Artists and they represent more than 200 artists across the four communities in the Kutjungka region – Kururrungka (Billiluna), Mulan , Kundat Djaru (Ringer Soak) and Wirrimanu (Balgo). There are eight distinct language groups – Kukatja, Ngardi, Djaru, Warlpiri, Walmajarri, Wangkajunga, Pintupi and Manyjiljarra– each with their own history and stories to tell. Warlayirti Art Centre accommodates a community of artists diverse in age, cultural and life experience – some brought up in the traditional bush manner, others on the Mission, and others in modern-day community. For this multicultural and diverse artistic group, art is part of everyday life and cultural continuity.

Provenance of this painting is Warlayirti Artists, Balgo #853/08.

Curators Note: A couple of strands of canvas on photo