TJALTU, 2017
FRED GRANT
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
199.0 x 228.0 cm
bears inscription verso: artist's name, date and Spinifex Arts Project cat. 17-307
Spinifex Arts Project, Tjuntjuntjara, Western Australia
RAFT Artspace, Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Private collection, New South Wales
Fred and Ned Grant, RAFT Artspace, Alice Springs, 8 – 29 September 2018
Truth: Then Now Everywhen, University of Newcastle Gallery, New South Wales, 1 July – 3 September 2022
This painting is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the Spinifex Arts Project.
Born Nguramuta in 1943 at Ukatjatjara, located in north-east Spinifex Country in Western Australia, Fred Grant lived a traditional life on country with his elder brothers Ned (Kungaru) and Ted. Just prior to undergoing initiation in their early teenage years, the brothers were located by missionaries and government officials and transported 600 kilometres west to Cundalee Mission, close to Kalgoorlie. Removed from their country due to an enduring drought and the disturbance of traditional life as a result of the Maralinga atomic bomb testing and the rocket testing at Woomera, Fred subsequently went ‘through’ the Law with older brother and ngalungku (contemporary initiate), Ned, in the ranges north of Laverton. In the early 1990s, Ned and Fred finally returned to their homelands, some fifty years later, and were instrumental in the Spinifex land claim which was granted in the year 2000. Fed Grant was married to fellow artist, Carlene West, until her death in 2021, and now resides on country at Tjuntjuntjara
Fred Grant is the custodian of Kulpara, (the Magpie), who is closely associated with the Wati Kutjara Tjukurpa (Two Men story) – a story whose influence spreads widely across Pitjantjatjara, Ngaanyatjarra and Pintupi lands. As the accompanying certificate explains, Tjaltu, 2017 is typical of Fred’s iconographical maps of Country, showing a ‘major site that forms part of the Wati Kutjara Tjukurpa (two Men creation line). This is an epic story that traverses vast amounts of Spinifex Country as it follows two brothers in their search for wives. Mulya maru (black nosed monitor) and tinka (sand goanna) are the creation beings that metamorphosise between animal and man as they shape the landscape, to leave physical and moral reminders of their presence. Here at Tjaltu, are two rock holes representing the brothers and their existence still today. Fred has painted the many sites and travelling tracks that they passed and stopped at on their way to this site.’1
1. See the accompanying Spinifex Arts Project certificate of authenticity.
CRISPIN GUTTERIDGE