COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT : WARAKURNA: ARTWORKS FROM THE BUNGALOW

In the remote desert community of Warakurna in Western Australia, art feels alive with story. Surrounded by the vast landscapes of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, artists paint, weave, and sculpt the memories and knowledge of Country into their work. The artists from this region blend traditional Western Desert symbolism with stories of community life, hunting trips, and ancestral beings, creating artwork that is both deeply baked in history and strikingly contemporary.

Artists such as Roma Butler and Diane Ungukalpi Golding are powerful voices within this creative movement. Butler is an award-winning fibre artist whose works have been seen at the Venice Biennale. Her paintings often take on the grand waterholes and pared back palettes seen in traditional desert work, the repetitive symbolism creating a mesmerising scene for the viewer.

The artists from this region have played an integral part in the formation of the Western Desert art movement. Their studio practice continues to reach audiences far beyond their remote workplace, strengthening the cultural identity and resilience of the Ngaanyatjarra, with engaging beautiful work. We invite you to view a selection of artworks from the region below. A price list is available via enquiries@shortstgallery.com.