Pauline Williams

"These are the rockholes around Kunawarritji. My Mum painted the same places. It's my Father's country - he was born at well 33”

Pauline is a Martu artist and the daughter of renowned artist Jugarda (Dulcie) Gibbs. Pauline frequently paints her mother's traditional Country between the Percival Lakes and Kunawarritji. 

Kunawarritji is an important site in the Great Sandy Desert where multiple stories and histories intersect. The area forms part of Pauline’s ngurra (home Country, camp) through her family. Originally a spring water and major Martu pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) camping site, at the turn of the 20th century Kunawarritji was converted into a well along the Canning Stock Route. Each year throughout the 1930-50s, the well became a site of contact between the drovers, their cattle, and desert families.

"These are the rockholes around Kunawarritji. My Mum painted the same places. It's my Father's country - he was born at well 33. I'm painting well 35, Kinyu, all the way to well 38, Wajaparni. This is a big place for us. It's important."