Wakartu Cory Surprise | National Museum of Australia

Portrait of Wakartu Cory Surprise. - click to view larger image

born about 1929, Walmajarri language group, Nyapana skin group, Fitzroy Crossing, Mangkaja Arts

Wakartu grew up around Tapu. When her parents died, she travelled to Kaningarra and Wayampajarti before reaching the station Country.

After leaving the desert, she raised seven children while working for the police and on stations, and by trading minerals for rations.

The station manager was hitting people, so we ran away [to the] desert to see if we can find any of our people left, but nothing, only all the dead ones. Police tracked us down and put chains around the men.

A square painting on canvas in mainly primary colours showing an uneven concentric circle which becomes a round edged square in the outer rings. There are thin white lines between each ring, and colours start with black in the centre then, red, dark green, yellow orange and blue at the edge. - click to view larger image — *Tapu*

A square painting on canvas with horizontal uneven stripes in orange and black with thin white dividing lines. The orange stripes start as a medium tone at the top, and then yellow-orange in the central section and red-orange in the bottom part of the painting. - click to view larger image — *Wayampajarti*

Taku Rosie Tarco

Kanu Nancy Taylor

Ngalangka Nola Taylor

Karntakarnta Billy Thomas

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