STORY LINES: SANDRA PUMANI, YARITJI HEFFERNAN & KUKIKA ADAMSON
Forthcoming exhibition
Short St Gallery presents Story Lines featuring artwork by Sandra Pumani, Yaritji Heffernan and Kukika Adamson. Sandra Pumani comes from a strong artistic lineage: her mother Ngupulya Pumani and grandmother Milatjari Pumani are both respected artists and elders. Sandra’s work draws on the land around Mimili, focusing on sacred women’s sites, bush foods like the witchetty grub (maku), and places of ancestral significance. Many of her paintings map out story lines and country—depicting hills, water sources, and sacred locations—using motifs to show the paths of ancestral beings and the landscapes they passed through.
Sandra often describes her paintings as topographical maps of country and story lines, and stresses the role of her work in teaching: “I grew up around these areas out bush & down the lines of family, I was taught so much with the story lines. It is important for us to teach the kids our storylines; and my paintings are to teach.”
Alongside Sandra Pumani, Kukika Adamson and Yaritji Heffernan are also important figures in APY Lands art practice and culture. Kukika Adamson lives and works in Adelaide; she is originally from Pukatja and inherited the story of Wanampi Tjukurpa (the Rainbow Serpent) from her father, Tiger Palpatja. Her work often relays mythic ancestral stories and foundational story lines. Yaritji Heffernan paints Kapi Tjukula (rock holes) which are particularly important sources of water during the dry season. Her work uses concentric circles to represent the water collection sites after rain, and she holds the prestigious role of both artist and mentor within the community.
Together, these artists embody and transmit deep cultural knowledge: through their symbols, stories, and songs; their paintings are not just art but acts of preservation and transmission of law, language, identity, and country. Short St Gallery invites you to join us to view Story Lines, with Sandra, Kukika and Yaritji in our gallery or online. A catalogue can be obtained through enquiries@shortstgallery.com.
Sandra often describes her paintings as topographical maps of country and story lines, and stresses the role of her work in teaching: “I grew up around these areas out bush & down the lines of family, I was taught so much with the story lines. It is important for us to teach the kids our storylines; and my paintings are to teach.”
Alongside Sandra Pumani, Kukika Adamson and Yaritji Heffernan are also important figures in APY Lands art practice and culture. Kukika Adamson lives and works in Adelaide; she is originally from Pukatja and inherited the story of Wanampi Tjukurpa (the Rainbow Serpent) from her father, Tiger Palpatja. Her work often relays mythic ancestral stories and foundational story lines. Yaritji Heffernan paints Kapi Tjukula (rock holes) which are particularly important sources of water during the dry season. Her work uses concentric circles to represent the water collection sites after rain, and she holds the prestigious role of both artist and mentor within the community.
Together, these artists embody and transmit deep cultural knowledge: through their symbols, stories, and songs; their paintings are not just art but acts of preservation and transmission of law, language, identity, and country. Short St Gallery invites you to join us to view Story Lines, with Sandra, Kukika and Yaritji in our gallery or online. A catalogue can be obtained through enquiries@shortstgallery.com.