Andrea Martin Nungarrayi

Andrea Martin Nungarrayi belongs to one of the most famous artistic communities of the central Australian desert, that of Yuendumu, where contemporary Aboriginal painting appeared at the same time as in Papunya, during the 70s.

A time when men monopolized the community, painting became increasingly an activity in which women got involved, and which they enriched through their own visions in their dreamtime. On equal terms with men, and in the specific areas of fertility rituals, presiding over births as well as over harvests, women were indeed responsible for legends related to the history of the clan or tribe where they had to ensure sustainability through ceremonies and rituals essential to the proper functioning of the community.

Very inspired by its religious principles, aboriginal painting had to naturally open to women who will confide to a canvas or fabric the stories they were accountable for.