About the Artwork

Tinka (Sand Goanna) is a type of monitor lizard found in the central desert, typically living in large burrows under the sand. They bury their eggs in active termite mounds, which the termites rebuild around, regulating the temperature and humidity until they are ready to hatch. They are a healthy and sustainable source of food, traditionally hunted by women, that Anangu still consume today.

With the first lightning strikes of summer, the tinka come out from their underground hibernation; Anangu track and catch them, sharing the tasty kuka (meat), as well as the ngampu (eggs), with their families. These critical bush skills are taught to children from a very young age so that they can learn to sustain themselves when out bush.

Walkatjara Art is the Aboriginal owned and governed art centre belonging to Mutitjulu community, located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta national Park, NT.