Untitled

'Untitled' 2010 transmits Ngallametta's intimate and extensive knowledge of her country and the endless and complex maze of river systems, wetlands and coastlines of the Western Cape region. She alternates her painting techniques, from watering down the pigment to a watercolour effect, and using dry brushing to suggest of the regions topography. Ngallametta uses natural clays and ochres from this landscape to capture the intensity of her community life and country in a unique and vibrant style that marries abstraction with elements of figuration to create both physical and emotional maps of her country.

Mavis Ngallametta began painting in 2008 whilst working as a weaver at the Wik and Kugu Arts and Craft Centre in Aurukun and has quickly become recognised for her immense canvases. She was awarded the Telstra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander general painting award in 2013. Ngallametta's experience as a master weaver of sculptural forms is evident in her painting style, particularly in her strong use of line-work and fluid layering of colours.