Ian Rictor Australian, Pitjantjatjara, b. 1962
Kapi Tjukula Tjuta, 2026
acrylic on linen
200 x 160 cm
26-205
Ian Rictor paints with a quiet reverence for the country that he depicts, from his relatively recent nomadic movements over the endless interior that makes up Spinifex Lands. Ian walked...
Ian Rictor paints with a quiet reverence for the country that he depicts, from his relatively recent nomadic movements over the endless interior that makes up Spinifex Lands. Ian walked from water source to food source and beyond, this was a cultural and family existence for survival in an arid land before his family were found and 'brought in' by relatives in late 1986: making them the last known traditional hunter gatherer in Australia. Ian's compositions centre on the life affirming sites he depicts and each are multi layered with meaning. In this composition, Ian has depicted the significant site of Tuwan situated in the heart of Spinifex Country. It is here that the Nyii Nyii Tjukurpa (Zebra Finch Creation Line) resides. This is a powerful Men's narrative that follows a group of Zebra Finch Men as they travel south to stop the rising seas. Tuwan is depicted in the bottom right hand corner of this work. Ian also represents the sites of Wyara, Kututjara and Artulin. These sites locate Tuwan in the Spinifex estate and hold their own Tjukurpa. Wyara is connected to the Minyma Ngiyari Tjukurrpa (Thorny Devil Woman Creation Line) and Artulin represents the Mala Tjukurpa (Rufous hare-wallaby Creation Line).