Shoulder Tote, Anmanari Brown
This bag was inspired by a popular dream story of a group of sisters being chased through the desert by one man. There are numerous scenarios as the women travel around, chased by Wati Nyiru. Landforms were created as they all traveled through the countryside. Eventually, they rose into the sky and formed the Pleiades, a cluster of stars in the southern skies. This story has many variations; each language group has its own chapters that relate to their country's landscape.
Partner: Better World Arts
Designed by Anmanari Brown
Anmanari Brown, a senior Pitjantjatjara, was born in the 1930s at Purpurna, an important rock hole with a good supply of water. As a child, Anmanari lived with her family in the desert.
Anmanari frequently paints the Kungkarrakalpa or Minyma Tyuta Tjukurpa (Seven Sister Dreaming). This is a major tjukurpa for Irrunytju and communities across central Australia's deserts. The seven sisters were born at Illuwarratjarra. They traveled from Kaliwarra to Wannan in Western Australia, stopping at significant sites and rock holes including Kuru Ala, Anmanari’s mother country and a sacred place for women.
Her artwork has a languid quality. Solid blocks of color, built up from heavy blotting with punu or layer upon layer of color applied with thick brushstrokes, are combined with loose graphic elements.
