Piltati - Rhoda Tjitayi's Story, 2022
Rhoda was born in Pukatja on the APY Lands in 1969. Rhoda's grandfather was from Nyapari and grandmother from Makiri, Tjala Minyma Ngura, a scared women’s place relating to the Honeyant.
Her grandmother Kunmanara (Eileen/Yaritji) Stevens was one of the leading founding artists of the painting movement of the communities of Kanpi and Nyapari where she lived. Her work became highly sought after.
Rhoda’s works depict Piltati Tjukurpa, an important creation site near the Nyapari community. It is an an important cultural story she learnt from her grandmother. Rhoda remembers visiting her grandmother, Mrs Stevens, and sitting with her while she painted.
When Rhoda paints she says “I am remembering the story she passed on. I am painting this to pass it on to my children. I have learnt this story from my grandmother she put the story in my heart and it’s going out to my grandchildren. When she was painting, she would tell a story and sing.” Rhoda learnt how to dance and sing from her grandmother and is now teaching her daughter and her family. Rhoda says “I am happy to be painting my grandmother’s story.”
Rhoda's work has been exhibited at the 2022 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Free/State at the Art Gallery of South Australia and in the 2022 Wynne Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Her grandmother Kunmanara (Eileen/Yaritji) Stevens was one of the leading founding artists of the painting movement of the communities of Kanpi and Nyapari where she lived. Her work became highly sought after.
Rhoda’s works depict Piltati Tjukurpa, an important creation site near the Nyapari community. It is an an important cultural story she learnt from her grandmother. Rhoda remembers visiting her grandmother, Mrs Stevens, and sitting with her while she painted.
When Rhoda paints she says “I am remembering the story she passed on. I am painting this to pass it on to my children. I have learnt this story from my grandmother she put the story in my heart and it’s going out to my grandchildren. When she was painting, she would tell a story and sing.” Rhoda learnt how to dance and sing from her grandmother and is now teaching her daughter and her family. Rhoda says “I am happy to be painting my grandmother’s story.”
Rhoda's work has been exhibited at the 2022 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Free/State at the Art Gallery of South Australia and in the 2022 Wynne Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
