Exhibition Insight... Yia Ngkarrama (Telling Stories)
Judith Pungarta Inkamala, Thepa Mapa, 2021. Image: JamFactory.
Yia Ngkarrama (Telling Stories)
Words by Carly Tarkari Dodd
Carly is the First Nations Assistant Curator at JamFactory.
The works in Yia Ngkarrama (Telling Stories) depict Western Aranda stories that have been passed down generations. Senior artist Judith Inkamala Pungarta, Rona Rubuntja Panangka, Anita Mbitjana Ratara, Hayley Panangka Coulthard, and emerging artists Lawrence Inkamala and Geraldine Inkamala have made hand-coiled terracotta vessels that look at themes of nature, animals, and Australian culture.
Senior artist Judith Inkamala Pungarta has been creating at Hermannsburg for nearly 30 years and is currently chairperson of Hermannsburg Potters. Inkamala is an inspiring and respected leader in her community of Ntaria (Hermannsburg) in the Northern Territory, and is recognised for her unwavering dedication and commitment to intergenerational sharing of cultural and ceramic knowledge. Inspired by watching Albert Namatjira and other men paint in the camps led to her interest in the arts. Judith is notably known for her Thepa Mapa (Many birds) pots featuring the rich landscape and native birds.
Geraldine Inkamala is following in the footsteps of her mother Judith, after starting with Hermannsburg Potters in 2020. Judith has been teaching her in the studio while sharing knowledge and stories, and her influence can be seen in Geraldine’s work.
Rona Rubuntja Panangka Andrew McLeod, Adelaide Crows VS Collingwood Magpies (detail), 2021.
Anita Mbitjana Ratara recalls being taught by Naomi Sharp in the early 1990s. Her works depict Palm Valley and the Willy Wagtail, which are her grandfather’s Country and ancestral story. Her daughter, Hayley Panangka Coulthard also paints Palm Valley and her family’s Willy Wagtail story. She joined Hermannsburg Potters in 2009 and has participated in a mentorship with senior potters Judith Inkamala and Kwementyaye Ungwanaka.
Lawrence Inkamala, Hayley’s son, is an emerging potter and is very skilled in hand building and wheel throwing. A major focus for Inkamala is mentoring younger men in pottery and building their skills. His works are inspired by his family connections to community, exemplified by painting landscapes and stockmen as he comes from a long line of horseman. In 2017 Lawrence took part in a ceramic’s residency Clay Bosses at JamFactory as a part of Tarnanthi with other emerging ceramicists from art centres across Australia.
Rona Rubuntja Panangka is another established senior potter who joined in 1998 and has exhibited works both nationally and internationally. Panangka has had works selected for the Shepparton Art Museum Indigenous Ceramic Art Award 3 times. Inspired by her community and storytelling she loves painting figurative and humorous characters. Panangka’s football vessels are notably the most popular, and share stories of famous Aboriginal football players in AFL’s history. Exhibiting at the National Gallery of Victoria in Our Land is Alive along with other artists from Hermannsburg, Panangka gained wide support from Australians as well as Indigenous AFL icons Syd Jackson and Gilbert McAdam.
Lawrence Inkamala Jakamarra, Stockman and His Horse, 2021.
JamFactory presents Hermannsburg Potter’s new ceramics in Yia Ngkarrama (Telling Stories). This exhibition is showing at the Adelaide Railway Station Phone Booths until 28 November 2021 as part of this year’s Tarnanthi: Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art and is supported by Renewal SA.
You can support the Hermannsburg Potters by donating here. By donating to Hermannsburg Potters you are facilitating the daily arts, cultural and social services offered by the organisation to all members.