TJINTALPA, WEST OF YAGGA YAGGA IN THE GREAT SANDY DESERT, 1993
Eubena Nampitjin
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
117.5 x 83.5 cm
inscribed verso: artist's name, size and Warlayirti Artists cat. 212/93
Warlayirti Artists, Balgo Hills
James and Wendy Cowan Collection, New South Wales
This painting is accompanied by a certificate ofauthenticity from Warlayirti Artists, Balgo Hills, which states: ‘Eubena grew up in this part of the desert and she has intimate knowledge of its features, food sources and water supply. It isa very remote part of this country with rolling sandhills and the occasional outcrop of rugged weathered crop.’
This fine work by Eubena Nampitjina was executed in 1993 at a time when she had resumed painting after an extended break. In many ways a transitional work; its high key palette of reds, oranges and yellows, with a lyrical and unusual incursion of pink, foreshadows much of what was to come. At over 80 years old Eubena is the matriarch of the Balgo community, a powerful law woman engaging in traditional activities whose paintings have attracted a considerable international following amongst collectors and major public institutions.