Cushion Cover Wool 16in (40cm)-NMA703

This piece depicts the network of Tali (Sandhills) that run along vast areas of Nellie’s home country in the western desert, as well as the rockhole that can be found here – this is called Kalimpinpa. These Sandhills are set in parallel rows depending on the direction of the winds that have formed them. The valleys between these dunes can be either very productive and support a wider range of edible plants, medicines and wild life. Other areas can be remarkably barren, depending on the amount of water that has built up here and the quality of the soil.Knowledge of these vast areas of sandy country is an integral part of day to day living in this rugged environment. Being rather high, it is often impossible to see what kind of country lies beyond each hill. The elders of these areas have travelled through this country often enough that they very aware of which places can offer sources of food, water, medicine and shelter – and this knowledge is passed down from generation to generation.Nellie was commissioned by the FabAlice Festival in Alice Springs to paint a rainbow artwork for their launch party, which was held at Yubu Napa Art Gallery in September 2018. We showed Nellie the Pride Flag and asked her if she could create a beautiful painting using the colours of the flag. Being a creative woman, Nellie used the colours to tell her Tali Story in this vibrant palette of colour. This design was a lot of fun for Nellie to take inspiration from and she has continued to experiment with these colours.