The artists of Mimili, located in the remote Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands of South Australia, are not just creators of beautiful art; they are the guardians of ancient wisdom and the storytellers of their community's survival.
In a landscape where rusted car wrecks lie scattered, artist Shane Dodd finds inspiration. These forgotten vehicles, once a means of connection to culturally significant sites, now provide the raw materials for his artwork. Dodd and other artists transform scrap metal into sculptures, painting stories of Country onto reclaimed car parts.
"I make from my grandmother's Country about waterholes," Dodd explains, pointing to a painted fuel cap depicting five waterholes. These skeletal wrecks symbolize the journey and resilience of his people, enabling them to reach sacred sites more easily.
In the heart of Mimili, the Mimili Maku Arts studio buzzes with creativity. The smell of acrylic paint fills the air as artists like Tuppy Ngintja Goodwin and Pauline Wangin bring their stories to life on canvas. Goodwin, a former preschool teacher, uses her art to share the lore and wisdom passed down from her ancestors, ensuring that the spiritual beliefs, Law, and creation stories known as Tjukurpa are not forgotten.
"It contains Law, this one," Goodwin says of her painting, explaining how it depicts the ceremony and rock holes at Antara, a culturally significant site.
Wangin's paintings also hold crucial knowledge, detailing the waterholes where the maku, or witchetty grubs, are found. These grubs, a dietary staple in Indigenous communities, are a symbol of sustenance and survival.
"When we look after the rock holes associated with witchetty grubs, the grub numbers increase," Wangin says.
The artists of Mimili are not only preserving a culture that dates back over 65,000 years, but they are also ensuring that this knowledge is carried forward by the next generation.
Betty Mula, an artist from Imanpa, often paints the Seven Sisters songline, a story that traverses land and night sky. Desmond Woodforde, a radio host and musician, stands by his painting of the Milky Way, explaining how celestial entities guided his ancestors.
Acclaimed artist Robert Fielding has been leading a project to reclaim old cars, transforming them into sculptures. He describes the project as "custodial art-making," beginning with Country, culture, and community.
"Mutuka, the car wrecks, are more than just scrap. They're symbols of survival, of resistance, and of movement across Country," Fielding says.
The artists of Mimili gather regularly to share stories, connect, and create. They find strength and support in each other's company.
"We encourage one another, keeping us stronger," Woodforde says.
As the sun sets, Woodforde takes us to a place on the outskirts of Mimili, a spot with deep personal significance. He sings to Country from atop an emu egg formation, sharing a new song about the British nuclear tests at Emu Field and the trauma it caused his family.
"This is where it makes sense," Woodforde says, gazing out over the landscape. "The spirit, the heart is open."
The artists of Mimili are not just preserving their culture and history; they are ensuring its continuity, inviting the next generation to carry on their stories and traditions.
