This is a group self portrait of the Hermannsburg Potters, a collective of senior women artists of the Western Aranda/Arrarnta community in Ntaria/Hermannsburg. Through their vibrant hand-built, hand-painted terracotta pots, they tell stories of the local wildlife, Country and everyday life, reflecting their cultural beliefs and traditions. Although each of the artists has an individual style and approach, for this commission they worked together to create a self portrait. The potters themselves are pictured on the sides of the pot, represented through their intricate connections with Country, including plants and animals, a story of a mother and her twins, and Ancestors such as artist Albert Namatjira. Established in 1990, several years after the land comprising Hermannsburg Mission was returned to its Traditional Owners, Hermannsburg Potters is an important expression of individual and collective histories.
Commissioned 2009
© Hermannsburg Potters Aboriginal Corporation
Irene Mbitjana Entata (age 63 in 2009)
Lindy Panangka Rontji (age 47 in 2009)
Rahel Kngwarria Ungwanaka (age 63 in 2009)
Rona Panangka Rubuntja (age 39 in 2009)
Dawn Ngala Wheeler (age 56 in 2009)
Judith Pungarta Inkamala (age 62 in 2009)
Anita Ratara Mbitjana (age 66 in 2009)
Hayley Panangka Coulthard (age 42 in 2009)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
The first collaborative commission has arrived. It's a self portrait, it's ceramic and it's from Hermannsburg.
from Saturday 15 March
Gallery Three features major new acquisitions, collection highlights and favourites.
