MartuMili Collaborative | Jakayu Biljabu | Nola Taylor | Morika Biljabu

Painted for Martumili Artists, Western Australia (catalogue number 10-5a)

Private Collection

According to the accompanying documentation, this painting is a collaborative work by three Martu women. Jakayu Biljabu, Nola Taylor and Jakayu's granddaughter, Morika Biljabu. 

The work depicts Jakayu Biljabu's parents' country around Parnngurr and Punma communities including Nilagkurr which is located between Well 33 and 25 on the Canning Stock Route.

The large white area in the painting's upper right hand register represents a warla (salt lake). In the year prior, the artist and eleven other Martu women painted an immense five metre canvas depicting Ngayartu Kujarra (Lake Dora). This master work is now in the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.

Cf. For an illustration and notes on the related MartuMili Collaborative painting in the NGV, see Judith Ryan, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art in the Collection of the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, 2015, pp.192-193