Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters)

"The Seven Sisters story has always been important for Aṉangu women and it is more important today than ever before. It is a story that celebrates women’s leadership. I am proud of my leadership role. This is very serious work. I work as a director for APY (Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara) Council and for NPY (Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara) Women’s Council. I am one of the founding directors of the APY Art Centre Collective.

This is the oldest sister, and her leadership guided the other sister away from the dangers of the world. The oldest sister made sure that the seven sisters stayed together and that no one was left behind. The oldest sister protected everyone and made sure all the women were safe. This was the oldest sister’s story and it is the story of all Aboriginal women leaders in Australia today.

This is the power of women leaders. We can make all the women coming behind us fly."

  • Nyunmiti Burton

Artist

Nyunmiti Burton
Pitjantjatjara people, South Australia
APY Art Centre Collective

Nyunmiti Burton, Pitjantjatjara people, South Australia, born Mparntwe (Alice Springs), Northern Territory 1960, Kungkarangkalpa – Seven Sisters, 2020, Adelaide, synthetic polymer paint on linen, 290.0 x 290.0 cm; Gift of Anna Baillie-Karas, Mary Choate, Amanda Harkness, Jacqui McGill, Peter and Pamela McKee, Zena Winser through the Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation 20th Anniversary Collectors Club 2020 Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide c Nyunmiti Burton/APY Art Centre Collective

Nyunmiti Burton, Pitjantjatjara people, South Australia, born Mparntwe (Alice Springs), Northern Territory 1960, Kungkarangkalpa- Seven Sisters, 2020, Adelaide, synthetic polymer paint on linen, 290.0 x 290.0 cm; Gift of Anna Baillie-Karas, Mary Choate, Amanda Harkness, Jacqui McGill, Peter and Pamela McKee, Zena Winser through the Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation 20th Anniversary Collectors Club 2020, Art Gallery of South Australia, © Nyunmiti Burton/APY Art Centre Collective, photo: Grant Hancock.