Muni Rita Simpson
Born about 1941, died 2009
Manyjilyjarra language group, Milangka skin group
Punmu Community
Martumili Artists
Muni was born at Junpunkinja, close to Kurtararra in the Percival Lakes. She grew up with her sisters, Dulcie Gibbs and Rosie Williams around Kunawarritji, Karlamilyi and the Percival Lakes. Muni and her sister Rosie married two brothers who worked as stockmen on various stations in the Pilbara. She and Rosie also mined for tin in Marble Bar and in the 1980’s moved to Punmu community.
Minyipuru
2007, by Rita Simpson, Rosie Williams, Dulcie Gibbs
acrylic on linen, 300×125 cm
Martumili Artists
National Museum of Australia
Sisters Muni, Rosie and Dulcie grew up in the Country depicted in this painting. But it is the story of the Seven Sisters or Minyipuru, one of Martu women’s most important Jukurrpa narratives, which they have described here. In this story, the old man Yurla, who had been pursuing the sisters, captured one of the women at Pangkapini, between Wells 35 and 36. The Minyipuru tricked him and rescued her.
Poor old fella, he had a rough time. He was trying and trying and trying.
The Minyipuru promised to stay with the old man Yurla but, when he returned from collecting wood, they were floating above his head, teasing him. Yurla made a ladder but the sisters pushed it over and laughed at him. When he collapsed, exhausted, they rescued their sister and flew away.
