Lupulnga 2005

Makinti Napanangka made Lupulnga in an unknown location and date, with a brush dipped in warm, earthy hues. Imagine her, close to the canvas, making these rhythmic, undulating lines. They seem to map a sacred place. Each stroke, thick with intention, vibrates with the energy of the land. The ochre palette reminds me of the desert landscape under the blazing sun. The artist is creating a geography, layering experience, memory, and meaning into something tangible. The cluster of elliptical shapes in the center—are these seeds, people, or a meeting place? It invites us to consider the cyclical nature of life. Napanangka’s intuitive mark-making reminds me of Agnes Martin's delicate grids, and the landscapes of Emily Kngwarreye. Artists looking and learning from each other, across time and place. Painting is like a language, isn't it? Each artist bringing their own dialect. Lupulnga is a song sung in ochre and earth, a testament to the enduring power of place.