Womens Ceremonyby Benita Cavanagh

Benita Cavanagh is an Aboriginal woman from Santa Teresa Community; its aboriginal name is Ltyentye Apurte. The community is located approximately one hour from Alice Springs in Central Australia. Benita was born on the 18th of April 1975 and has always lived in Santa Teresa.

Benita is a Keringke Arts artist who has a lovely and appealing style to her work. She typically paints women’s stories however Rain stories are significant to her also. Typical of Keringke artist Benita uses fine dotting techniques with lots of colour. Many Keringke artists not only use canvas as a medium but pottery, scarfs, and eggs to decorate with their signature designs. Benita has had her artwork reproduced onto silk scarfs which are sold throughout Australia and online.

In 2005 Benita was involved in a Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) Production titled “The Art of Healing” in which a documentary about the Aboriginal women from Santa Teresa who were exploring the idea of decorating the community church’s walls with their feelings around their own individual faith from their cultural prespective. The documentary was part of a series called “Nganampa Anwernekenhe” meaning ours.

Benita is an emerging artist and is inspired and supported by her family and community to paint. Her artworks are bright and cheerful and would brighten up any room and would also make a unique and affordable gift for any loved one.

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