Sandhills near Tjukurla by Barbara Reid

"Tali - Sandhills near Tjukurla, 2000" by Barbara Napangarti Reid masterfully captures the warmth and essence of the Central Australian desert. Through her skilful use of colour, Reid evokes the shimmer of a hot summer's day, bringing the landscape to life. Her closely woven lines and textural paint work together to create a dynamic and engaging composition.

The painting, measuring 122x198cm. represents key features of the desert landscape: tali, or sweeping sand dunes, shown through waving horizontal lines. This traditional method of representing geographic formations is rooted in the body paint designs worn by Ngaanyatjarra women during sacred ceremonies, linking the artwork to cultural practices and rituals.

The site depicted in the painting is Tjukurla, located in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia, where Reid serves as custodian. The aerial perspective offers a unique view of the landscape, allowing the painting to be displayed in either a landscape or vertical format, highlighting its versatility.