Rosalind Tjanyari Australian, Yankunytjatjara, b. 1971

Rosalind was born at the little clinic at the Indulkana community when it was still in its early years of establishment. She has two younger brothers, and they lived together with her parents in a small wiltja (hand built camp house) close to the creek.

 

"I was born here in the little clinic, my family and friends are all here. My mother and my grandmother are ngangkari (traditional healers) they were always helping other people in the community. I like to go into country to find minkulpa (traditional bush tobacco) it only grows in the cool places close to water. I like laughing and having fun. I want the other people to enjoy the art centre like I do. It brings us together, working and sharing, and everyone is happy. This is a strong place."

 

Rosalind’s mother cared for a large extended family of children in Indulkana, and this tradition has been continued by Rosalind who has been a guardian, nurturer and role-model for many young children within the community, with her home always open to take care for those who need help.  

 

As a child, Rosalind loved being outdoors, often going into the bush with her uncles for tracking and hunting animals, or swimming with friends at local rock holes and in the creek after a big rain. On special holidays they would take an old car out to Amata, a community about a four-hour drive from Indulkana, to visit their auntie.  

 

Rosalind excelled at the community school where her mother was a teacher along with family friends Nellie Coulthard and Angkuna Baker. Rosalind traveled to Alice Springs to complete her secondary schooling at Yulara College, and then moved once again to Adelaide, boarding at the Woodville School for her final years of study.  

 

When she returned to Indulkana, Rosalind took on work at the local store and began painting at the newly established Iwantja Art Centre. Her richly coloured paintings reference the movement and energy of hidden pathways across the lands, and subtly hint at the fluidity of movement of journeys. Her intricate mark making weaves colours through the canvas, which flicker with an energy and excitement.  

 

Rosalind’s mother Kunmanara (Kanakyia) Tjanyari was a highly regarded ngangkari (Anangu traditional healer) and the influence of her mother’s ngangkari practice and knowledge passed down from her mother, grandmother and aunties has shaped Rosalind’s understanding of people and places. This is reflected in Rosalind’s dynamic artistic practice, where Rosalind alludes to the positive, healing energy associated with Ngangkari that is imbued in specific sites.

 

Rosalind has been painting at the art centre for more than ten years, she has also been an Arts Worker there for most of this time, she assists within the workshop, preparing materials for paintings and assisting the older artists.  

 

Popular among family, peers, and children within the community, Rosalind`s sense of humor and gentleness is a complimentary reflection of her compassion for others in the community. On holidays Rosalind and her husband Johnny enjoy swimming at the dam close to the Mintabie mining town, a popular weekend shopping destination. She is a keen mingkulpa (traditional bush tobacco) enthusiast, and has even achieved successful plant growth within the art centre community garden!  

 

“I like laughing and having fun, I want the other people to enjoy the art centre like I do. It brings us together, working and sharing, and everyone is happy.”