Teresa Stevens Pitjantjara,Yankunytjatjara, Australian, b. 1976
Teresa Stevens, granddaughter of the famed late artist Eileen Yaritja Stevens, was born in the
bush at a homeland called Double Tank near Fregon in 1976. Her father's country is Piltati, an
important waterhole close to Nyapari Community and a strong theme in her work. Her
mother's place is Areyonga in the Northern Territory.
Teresa was painting and living in Nyapari with Tjungu Palya for many years. She has recently
returned to her birthplace of Fregon where she continues her painting at Kaltjiti Arts.
Teresa's father is Keith Stevens and her mother Tjanpuwa Stevens, both established artists.
Teresa's Seven Sister Tjukurpa is a story of two sisters who love and care for each other. They
share food and water and travel the country together with their piti (bowl) and wana (digging
stick) looking for bush foods. The two sisters have great knowledge of the waterholes and
bush foods. They share their spoils and stay together in unison.
Teresa also paints Kapi Tjukula Pulka, Big Water in the Rock-Holes. With the arrival of heavy
rain, water cascades down the rocks and fills these rockholes. The children slide down the
rock-faces into the tjukula, which act as large natural waterslides. The surrounding flora comes
alive, unleashing prominent contrasts of colour against the red earth, and providing food
integral for the survival in the desert. These Tjukula are called Ali Wanyu Wanyu, they are close
to the homelands of Watinuma in the APY Lands.
