Mitjili began painting in the early 1990’s through the influence of her family, painting her father’s dreaming – “Tjukurrpa”. She was taught this by her mother, as a women’s interpretation. This dreaming depicts the making of spears, an important aspect of men’s business. The straightening of spears was often painted by her brother, Turkey Tolson. Her paintings usually relate to wooden objects and their sources, such as trees from which the spear shafts and other objects are made. Her works show a strong use of patterns in formal arrangements, for which she has received recognition, being the recipient of the Alice Springs Art Award in 1999. |
