Lizardby Carol Young

Contemporary carvings by Anangu (Central and Western Desert Aboriginal people) are known as punu, hand carved and decorated with walka, patterns burnt into the wood with wire heated on a wood fire. The animals all have their associations with the Tjukurpa, the stories of the Creation Ancestors and the activities which shaped the land, the people and their Law. Many of the details of Tjukurpa are restricted to senior custodians but for this story they have been able to make some details open for sharing.

The Ngintaka or Perentie lizard (Varanus giganteus) is the largest lizard of Central Australia and a highly prized, important food. Carvings are recognized by their distinctive walka. The artist has spent a life time observing the habits and forms of these animals and its powerful Tjukurpa, celebrated in inma (ceremony, song, and dance), story telling and art work.

Artist:Carol Young
Title:Lizard
ID:CY007
Medium:Mulga Wood
Size:23 cm
Region:APY Lands, South Australia

Artist

Aboriginal artist Carol Young was born in 1972 in Alice Springs and spend her childhood on the Pipalyatjara community, which is located in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in South Australia. The Anangu people speak Pitjantjatjara as their first language. Carol's mother's homelands is Warbuton in Western Australia. Carol is an artist who paints at the Ninuku Arts centre and is also a talented basket weaver.

As a traditional Aboriginal woman Carol is a custodian of Dreamtime stories associated with her country and cosmology that has been passed through generations. She has strong connections and intimate knowledge of her culture, which is shares in her paintings.

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