About the Artwork

The Seven Sisters Creation Story is of great significance to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people. The sisters traveled a long time ago through the artist’s traditional country in South Australia’s North West and the southwest corner of the Northern Territory.

A man called Wati Nyiru was chasing the sisters, trying to court one of them. He used all kinds of trickery in pursuit of them, but through the skill of the eldest, they always managed to keep one step ahead of him. The sisters finally escaped to a faraway place so they could stay together, safe from the clutches of Wati Nyiru.

To this day, the seven stars of the sisters, followed by the bright star of Wati Nyiru, can be seen in the night sky in the constellations known as the Pleiades and Orion.

Within the traditions of Tjukurpa or Creation Law are coded life survival skills. There is inma or ceremony for the Kungkarangkalpa in order to teach and celebrate; for people to learn where they fit within both the environment and social systems.

Anangu feel strongly about continuing to teach and learn Tjukurpa, and their art is important and vital work. It sustains them economically, physically, and culturally. It keeps the stories and traditions alive.