Ngumarnu Norma Giles
Born about 1952
Manyjilyjarra language group, Nakamarra skin group
Patjarr Community
Kayili Artists
We lived in the bush. At that time we didn’t have any clothes. When we were children we used to live off the meat that our fathers and mothers killed. We grew up on all that food from the land. We lived oblivious to [the] white man and his world.
Norma Giles grew up in the bush at Patjarr before moving to Warburton and marrying Mr Giles. She and her family were instrumental in establishing Patjarr community in their homelands.
Kapitu kapitu
2008, by Norma Giles
acrylic on linen, 101×508 cm
Kayili Artists
National Museum of Australia
We lived in the bush … We grew up eating kangaroo and emu … We lived oblivious to [the] white man and his world.
Kapitu kapitu means ‘water to water’, and this painting represents the journey of Norma’s grandfathers and grandmothers to various rock holes in their Country. These rock holes include Patjarr, Wirtut, Kurrpulu, Kunungurra, Pandaltjarra, Kalipi, Yalata, Tika Tika, Kulkardartja and Talila. The U-shapes represent two men; the oblong shape between them is their wiltja (bush shelter).
After living here [Warburton] we went back to our traditional Country and painted our Country. Always painting our Country.
