Nellie Stewart
(1938 - 2012)
MINYMA KUTJARA TJUKURPA, 2009
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
114.0 x 200.5 cm
bears inscription verso: artist’s name, date and Tjungu Palya cat. TPNS09137
Estimate:
$5,000 - $7,000
© Nellie Stewart/Copyright Agency 2025
lot details
Tjungu Palya Arts, Nyapari, South Australia
Marshall Arts, Adelaide
Private collection, Melbourne
This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tjungu Palya Arts which states:
‘This is Irrunytju. Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa (the creation story of two sisters). The women were travelling through this country stopping at rockholes along the way. They had special Inma (ceremonial singing and dancing).
Ngayuku nguntytju ngura (this is my mother’s country)
When the little sister was very small, she was blown away by a big wind far to the south, to another country, where people spoke another language and had different Inma (ceremonies). Many years later the big sister heard where her sister was and went to bring her back home. They travelled together for many days. The little sister was frightened and crying. “I don’t want to go back” she wailed. The elder sister taught her ceremonial language as they travelled through the desert. Close to Irrunytju the sisters made hair belts for Inma (ceremonial song and dance). From there the big sister threw her digging stick and made Wana Wani.’

