Mayarn Julia Lawford
Born about 1940’s
Wangkajunga, Walmajarri language groups, Napanangka skin group
Kupartiya community
Ngurra Artists
We were taking goats for the drovers as meat when they were droving cattle…
Mayarn was a little girl when she fell down a goanna hole and broke her leg while travelling on the stock route with her parents. The droving team, whose camels had frightened her put her leg in a splint. Mayarn is a respected law woman and singer of Majarrka. Mayarn is the mother of Canning Stock Route Project translator Putuparri Tom Lawford.
Tungkul (hairstring)
2007, by Mayarn Julia Lawford & Putuparri Tom Lawford
human hair and ochre
Ngurra Artists
Nanbung Collection
Tungkul is hairstring. It is has many extremely important cultural and ceremonial uses and remains a valuable trade item today. Spun by women, it is often made from hair cut while grieving. This tungkul was made by Mayarn from her son Putuparri’s hair.
