Ampilatwatja is a relatively large community within the homelands of the Alyawarra nation. The Alyawarra people live in small outstations in close-knit family groups. Hunting and gathering is still practised, but much less than in the past.

The Alyawarra homelands stretch north east of Alice Springs and follow the Sandover River up towards the Barkley tablelands for a thousand kilometres. This is an ancient landscape untouched, with its piercing blue skies, red sand and ghost gums.

The root of Ampilatwatja art is in the country. The finely dotted landscapes depict each artist’s own particular country or place they have custodianship over. Apmer (country) and all the different bush medicines and bush tucker are also reflected within each painting. This information is mapping the country; each artist is painting her own little piece of one big map – that is why the artists themselves don’t judge a painting as good or bad. These paintings are sacred paintings – they are not frivolously done. Whether they are beautiful landscapes or dreaming lines and rondels there is no difference, because it’s all about country.

The beauty of the landscapes comes from a close association with the land, being on it, sitting down on it. The painters’ artistic inspiration comes from nature, and their deep understanding of the earth they walk upon. Like Cézanne painting the same mountain over and over, these artists paint their piece of country, each time revealing their love for the red earth that is their home.

Ampilatwatja - Art Studio with artists at work.

Beverly Pula Luck & Margaret Kemarre Ross

Colleen Ngwarraye Morton

Edie Kemarre Holmes

Kathleen Nanima Rambler

Rosie Ngwarraye Ross

Rosie Ngwarraye Ross

'The work pays homage to the significance and use of traditional bush medicine, allowing an insight into the community. Yet underneath the iridescent surface, there is an underlying sense that there is more to these landscapes than meets the eye. In keeping with the religious laws, the artist reveals only a small amount of knowledge to the uninitiated.'

Caroline Hunter, Manager

AMPILATWATJA

MY COUNTRY

Kathleen Nanima Rambler : ‘My Fathers Country’ – SO4168 – 752-18-SOLD

Kathleen Nanima Rambler : ‘My Fathers Country’ – SO4168 – 752-18-SOLD

Denise Ngwarraye Bonney: ‘My Grandmothers Country’ – SO4167 – 474-18 – SOLD

Denise Ngwarraye Bonney: ‘My Grandmothers Country’ – SO4167 – 474-18 – SOLD

Lilly Kemarre Morton: ‘My Country Antarrengeny’ – SO4166 – 415-18 – SOLD

Lilly Kemarre Morton: ‘My Country Antarrengeny’ – SO4166 – 415-18 – SOLD

Michelle Pula Holmes: ‘My Country’ – SO4165 – 560-18 – SOLD

Michelle Pula Holmes: ‘My Country’ – SO4165 – 560-18 – SOLD

Michelle Pula Holmes: ‘My Country’ – SO4164 – 442-18 – SOLD

Michelle Pula Holmes: ‘My Country’ – SO4164 – 442-18 – SOLD

Jean Ngwarraye Long: ‘Ntang Native Seeds’ – SO4163 – 529-18

Jean Ngwarraye Long: ‘Ntang Native Seeds’ – SO4163 – 529-18

Barbara Ngwarraye Long: ‘Ntang Native Seeds’ – SO4162 – 312-18

Barbara Ngwarraye Long: ‘Ntang Native Seeds’ – SO4162 – 312-18

Julieanne Ngwarraye Morton: ‘My Country and Bush Medicine Plants’ – SO4161 – 557-18 – SOLD

Julieanne Ngwarraye Morton: ‘My Country and Bush Medicine Plants’ – SO4161 – 557-18 –  SOLD

Julieanne Ngwarraye Morton: ‘My Country and Bush Medicine Plants’ – SO4160 – 459-18 – SOLD

Julieanne Ngwarraye Morton: ‘My Country and Bush Medicine Plants’ – SO4160 – 459-18 – SOLD

Julieanne Ngwarraye Morton: ‘My Country and Bush Medicine Plants’ – SO4159 – 439-18 – SOLD

Julieanne Ngwarraye Morton: ‘My Country and Bush Medicine Plants’ – SO4159 – 439-18 – SOLD

Joyrene Ngwarraye Holmes: ‘Bush Medicine Plants’ – SO4158 – 576-18

Joyrene Ngwarraye Holmes: ‘Bush Medicine Plants’ – SO4158 – 576-18

Betty Pula Morton: ‘My Country and Bush Medicine’ – SO4157 – 579-18 – SOLD

Betty Pula Morton: ‘My Country and Bush Medicine’ – SO4157 – 579-18 – SOLD

Betty Pula Morton: ‘My Country and Bush Medicine’ – SO4156 – 570-18 – SOLD

Betty Pula Morton: ‘My Country and Bush Medicine’ – SO4156 – 570-18 – SOLD

Kathleen Nanima Rambler: ‘My Fathers Country’ – SO4155 – 534-18

Kathleen Nanima Rambler: ‘My Fathers Country’ – SO4155 – 534-18