Alkere Series
When I was working in Tennant Creek this time last year, I had minimal art supplies on me. I was doing a three-month contract and only took the basics with me. I was presented with the opportunity to challenge myself with my art because I felt I couldn't do the usual with what I had. I want to share a bit more details about the paintings I completed while living on Warramunga Country.
This was an interesting period of my life. I was burnt out. I paused my training in Psychiatry and left my job in Alice Springs. I did 3 short locum stints of three weeks then took a job teaching Indigenous Health to medical students. I wasn't even sure if I would return to clinical medicine. After teaching and engaging with medical students for a few months I realised, I do love clinical work and I needed to go back. I reached out to friends and colleagues in Tennant Creek because it had been a great place to work before. Next minute, I was in Tennant, returning to medicine after being in Psychiatry for a couple of years. My time in Tennant Creek confirmed that clinical medicine is where I belonged. I didn't want to leave. It also confirmed I wanted to be a rural doctor.
You may have seen these paintings on my website or over on instagram. I called it Alkere, which is the Kaytetye words for sky. I took photos of these paintings down at Tingkkarli, or also known as, Lake Mary Ann. On my country, and on Warramanga Country, the sky is spectacular! Not only do the stars and the milky way hold significant stories for our people, the sky as it changes throughout the day, are also significant. They tell us when to hunt, reveals the habits of life on country, the movement of the sun gives orientates us, and storms nourish bring lifesaving water. While the sky can feel so far away it is integral to our existence. It is part of who we are as a people. When we Acknowledge Country we acknowledge the land, waterways, seas and sky. So I painted a small series of the sky during the cycle of the day to represent that at every moment, we are connected to the sky, and we are to it.
Daylight - 30x30cm - Available.
Sunrise - 30x30cm - Available
Sunset - 30x30cm
Stormy Skies - 30x30cm
Night Sky - 30x30cm
Cloudless Skies - 40x40 cm - SOLD
I love Tennant Creek. It is home for me. I am connections to Warramunga Country. My dad still lives in Tennant and so much of my extended family including the youngest of my four older brothers. The photo I included for this post is of Tingkkarli on a hot December afternoon, close to sunset. I took it as the same time I was photographing my artwork. It is beautiful, lush, and full of life! Most often, especially in summer, too many flies. It is flushed with bird life including Pelicans at certain times of the year and residential Peacocks! I leave you with this Butcher Bird which was chasing insects.
All 30x30cm paintings form this series are available on my website.
Thank you for reading,
Jeanie x
