Yaritji Young Tjala tjukurpa (honey ant story)

Yaritji Young is a traditional owner for tjala tjukurpa, near the Amata community in South Australia. She paints the rock holes and landmarks of her country, entwined with icons and traditional marks that relate to inma (dance) and tjukurpa (dreaming). The twisted lines and shapes mimic tunnels and formations made by the tjala honey ant.

‘My paintings are of my country: my father’s country, my grandmother’s country, the tjala country. Everything that my grandmother taught me, I’m teaching to my grandchildren now. They dance because I have shared what I got from my grandmother with my granddaughters, so they can know their culture.’

Yaritji Young, 2017