COOLEY WALYTJA-KU WALKA

For over 50 years Anangu, Aboriginal people from the Central and Western Deserts, have used heated wire to create markings, filled with stories, on their traditional wooden artifacts and tools. First seen by Anangu on the stations when cattle were being branded, they discovered heated fencing wire created a precise line that they adapted to create their own designs on their wooden objects. Modern times and various influences have seen the artists techniques diversify, with each piece and its markings unique to the individual creator.

The Cooley family is an artistic mob who spent a lot of their life making spectacular wood carvings on their homeland, Ulaipa near Amata on the APY Lands of South Australia. Billy & Lulu Cooley who lived extraordinary bush lives as a stockman and nanny while closely raising their 6 children who now take on Billy’s life like carving of Wanampi (water serpent) and Lulu’s Tali- sand dune burnt etching design live throughout Amata community in S.A and Mutitjulu community in Uluru NT as directors for Maruku Arts. The Cooley family’s art & designs have been shown nationally and around the world.

Maruku Arts, incorporated in 1984, is celebrating 40 years of supporting Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people to continue traditional carving practices with wood, sourced ethically and on country. A pivotal Uluru based organisation providing a means of economic independence for all ages and ensuring the continuation of cultural practices.

This exhibition showcases how the highly skilled punu artists from Maruku have revived old traditions while carving out a new artistic practice for themselves.

Courtesy of Verity May, Manager (Anangu Malpa), Maruku Arts

Exhibition Catalogue (PDF)