Ili Tjukurpa (Wild Fig Dreaming)

Ili Tjukurpa (Wild Fig Dreaming) has been passed down through the Riley family for generations. It originates from Alison’s grandfather’s homeland in South Australia. Alison teaches her daughter, Amelia Riley, the family Tjukurpa, and together they both paint at Walkatjara Art.

Alison’s painting tells the story of the travels of the Seven Sisters as they walk to Uluru. The eldest sister collects Ili (Wild Figs) along the way. Only she is allowed to touch them, as Wati Nyiru can use magic tricks on the sisters. Once the eldest sister touches the figs, she can tell if they are good or bad and then shares them with her sisters.

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

A man named Wati Nyiru was chasing the sisters, trying to court one of them. He used all kinds of trickery in his pursuit, but through the skill of the eldest sister, they always managed to stay one step ahead of him. Ultimately, the sisters escaped to a faraway place to remain together and safe from Wati Nyiru’s clutches.

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

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