Desert Patterns

In the desert there are many patterns that form. Sometimes from the water, grasses, wind, animals and people. We used to use these patterns in our symbols before European people came. They meant many different things. We also used them in ceremonies and in our body art and on our wooden tools. We continue to use them, mainly at church every Sunday we use them to tell stories and in the art centre when we want to share a story by painting on canvas.

$670.00

1 in stock

Medium: Painting
850 x 500mm Acrylic on Canvas
Year: 2018
SKU: 266-18

Description

In the desert there are many patterns that form. Sometimes from the water, grasses, wind, animals and people. We used to use these patterns in our symbols before European people came. They meant many different things. We also used them in ceremonies and in our body art and on our wooden tools. We continue to use them, mainly at church every Sunday we use them to tell stories and in the art centre when we want to share a story by painting on canvas.

Additional information

Weight 0.8 kg

About Sonya Napaljarri Cooke

Sonya Cooke is the wife of Henry Jakamarra Cooke, who was a dynamic community leader that passed away in 2022 at the age of 102. They had 14 sons and daughters. Sonya currently resides in Darwin for medical reasons. She began painting in the early 1980s and created a large portfolio of solo art, as well as art that she painted with Henry. Her Dreaming (Jukurrpa) is typically depicted through dot and line work. As with most Central Desert artists, her art is created from a topographical viewpoint. Her stories are of local animals and the people that are the guardians of the areas she paints. These are the beings that have lived there since the beginning of time.Sonya is a traditional lady that has great knowledge of Warlpiri history and culture. She also has great understanding of local medicine plants and their uses, and has passed this knowledge to her daughters and granddaughters.

See other works from Sonya Napaljarri Cooke