Kim Butler Napurrula

Kim is the daughter of acclaimed artist Anatjari Tjakamarra, who became part of the original group of Papunya painting men that formed around Geoffrey Bardon in 1971. He was also one of the original Papunya Tula shareholders when the company formed at the end of 1972. Anatjari Tjakamarra was one of a family group who were some of the last people out of the desert. They began walking into Papunya in 1966. Her mother Katarra Butler Napaltjarri is an artist also who has painted for Papunya Tula Artists since around the year 2000. She also paints at Tjarlali artists in Tjukurla, W.A. This painting depicts women’s ceremonies in Karku, near Tjukurla. The large arcs show rocky outcrops or ranges and the smaller arcs show the sand hill country or ‘Tali Tali’ in the valleys. The symbol in the center of the painting represents a rock hole and ceremonial site where the women made ‘Nymparra’ a hair string belt worn during ceremony. Women would have decorated themselves with body paint to make them ready to sing the songs and dance the stories of their country. To perform ceremonies or make paintings which depict ceremonial content, the artist must have been initiated and have the permission of their elders. This painting also depicts a region where the women gather bush tucker such as desert raisin and bush onion. This area is also renowned for good hunting for kangaroo, emu and bush turkey.