Niningka Lewis

2017, acrylic and burnt etching on plywood
22 x 40 cm
Cat No WB491-17

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Punu – Living Wood
Maruku Arts

Niningka Lewis is an artist whose creative innovation is loved by many. Born between the mission settlement of Areyonga and Tempe Downs cattle station in the Northern Territory, she grew up in the Ernabella area, making regular trips throughout her traditional lands. After living and working in Kalka and Ernabella for many years where she was a painter and ceramic artist. Niningka now resides at Mutitjulu in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and is a leading wood etcher and carver with Maruku Arts. She also works with Tjanpi Desert Weavers, sculpting and weaving native grass artefacts.

In this walka board Niningka is reminiscing about irititja or these early days. Her parents were part of the first generation of people at Ernabella and much of her childhood was spent there during her people’s first contact with non-indigenous Australians. People still travelled widely though, helped now by the availability of camels and reliable water supplies.

– MARUKU ARTS