STRONG MARTU WOMEN AT THE HEART OF POWERHOUSE WANTI II
Source: Martu Milli FB page
BY TANGIORA HINAKI
Strong Martu women, their Country and their cultural knowledge are at the centre of a new exhibition opening in Port Hedland.
Powerhouse Wanti II, curated by Martu artist Sylvia Wilson, features work by Gladys ‘Kuru’ Bidu, Yikartu Bumba (Petersen), Beverley Rogers and Betty Whyoulter.
The exhibition is the second instalment of Wilson’s Powerhouse Wanti concept, which was inspired by the strong women she grew up around and the senior artists she has worked alongside at Martumili Artists.
Wilson said those influences included her two mothers and her grandmother.
“I’ve got two mums — I’ve got a black mum and a white mum — and my grandmother, a very matriarchal woman,” she said.
“Working at Martumili Gallery in Newman was just seeing all these women artists coming in and being these strong leaders, doing everything else for everyone else.”
Wilson said those women were not only accomplished artists, but important cultural leaders within their families and communities.
“They’re very cultural leaders and strong women,” she said.
“They’re always good for a laugh and a cup of tea at the end of the day, after painting.”
MORE THAN A BEAUTIFUL PAINTING
Wilson said she wanted visitors to look beyond the colours and patterns of the works and understand the Country, family, culture and knowledge behind them.
She said an encounter during the first Powerhouse Wanti exhibition in Fremantle highlighted how differently audiences could interpret Aboriginal art without knowing the story behind it.
“A lady from Perth said, ‘Oh, this looks like the beach’,” Wilson said.
“I had a little giggle.
“It can look like the beach, so this year I’ve really brought out the colours and the shapes and the lines in the artwork, but also the strong Martu story that’s within the art.”
Wilson said the exhibition celebrated women whose lives and cultural knowledge extended far beyond the gallery.
“It’s showcasing the artists, all the artwork, and just being these strong women that travel all around the Pilbara, Kimberley and beyond,” she said.
“They can be inspirational for local mob around here in the Pilbara.”
POWERHOUSE WANTI GROWS
The first Powerhouse Wanti exhibition was held in Fremantle in 2024 and featured senior Martu artists Ngamaru Bidu, Kumpaya Girgirba, Marlene Anderson and Marianne Burton.
Wilson said she had not expected the exhibition to have the impact it did, with several of the featured artists going on to have solo exhibitions.
“Looking back now, I think, wow, it’s a good pathway of talking, but also getting your artwork and story out,” she said.
She said the idea continued to develop through the people and places she encountered while travelling.
“I just get ideas anywhere I go,” she said.
“If I go to different Country, international trips or just down the road to the shops, I’m getting inspired by the women and seeing them in all different lights.”
Wilson is also building momentum in her own artistic career, becoming a major art prize finalist and opening her first solo exhibition this year while continuing to curate other Martu artists.
She said working as both an artist and curator helped her understand the stories behind the work.
“Martumili really has so many artists, nearly over 300 artists,” she said.
“I love bringing that to light … but also just sharing the story of Martu culture.
“I’m still learning my own culture, going back and having the aunties and uncles showing me the way.
“It’s beautiful and humbling.”
Powerhouse Wanti II opens tomorrow, Friday September 4, from 6pm to 8pm at the Courthouse Gallery+Studio, 16 Edgar Street, Port Hedland. Entry is free.