Rupert Jack Pitjantjatjara, b. 1951
32 5/8 x 73 1/4 in
Before ration times, our life was from Tjukurpa. We ate all the mai putitja (bush foods) and we were happy. Later, petrol came, marijuana came and there was no work. People left their Country, they are going everywhere and they are lost. The Government tries to take our lives, our Manta (Country) and our Tjukurpa. They can’t. This is our place and we have lots of Tjukurpa and our Country and our story is really big. They can’t take it away. We Anangu are strong for our Country and Tjukurpa. Our Land has been here for a long time, our grandmothers and grandfathers taught us, their grandmothers and grandfathers taught them, not just here, but all over. This is all still here and it is still strong. I don’t want to lose my story, I will not lose the Tjukurpa given to me.