Ili Tjukurpa (Wild Fig Dreaming)- Amelia Riley
About the Artwork
Amelia paints Ili Tjukurpa (Wild Fig Dreaming) because the Tjukurpa (Story/ Dreaming) was passed down in the family from her great grandfather’s homeland in South Australia. Amelia has been taught by her Mum Alison Munti Riley, the two continue to paint at Walkatjara.
Amelia’s painting tells the travels of the Seven Sisters walking to Uluru, the eldest sister collects Ili (Wild Figs) along the way. Only she must touch them as Wati Nyiru can play magic tricks on the sisters. After the eldest sister touches them, she knows they are good or bad and gives them to her sisters.
The Seven Sisters Creation Story is of great significance to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people. The sisters travelled a long time ago through the artist’s traditional country in South Australia’s Northwest 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 following 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 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.
Walkatjara Art is the Aboriginal owned and governed art centre belonging to Mutitjulu community, located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT.
