Nyurnma (burnt country)
Product Details
This painting is about the landscape, bushfire (waru), and bush foods. Seeing the difference after the waru burns, it leaves some patches on the ground, and when the regrowth of the bush plants come back to life, it leaves a mark.
Well, I learnt that story from my grandmother—going out bush
Jenny Bu grew up here in Bidyadanga. She now lives in Parnngurr Community in the Pilbara region. She lives with her
grandparents who are renowned arsts. Jenny also paints for Martumilli Arts Centre in Newman but visits Bidyadanga
from me to me.
122 cm x 91 cm x 3 cm
Acrylic on canvas
Jenny believes that keeping culture strong and passing down knowledge is essenal, especially for younger generaons.
“Learning history about the community, keeping culture strong, and listening to stories from the past. It helps to learn
(teach) these stories so young people know where they come from. So they know what they’re part of.
”
She imagines a future without barriers, where “everyone would be able to speak all the languages.” A key part of this vision
is taking young people out on Country while Elders are sll here.
“I see us going out on Country while our Elders are here,
before they pass on, so they can share their story and knowledge.
”
Jenny recognises challenges in her community, like “kids geng in trouble and people going into town,” but she believes
art can help overcome these struggles.
“Taking people out bush and beach, with older people working together with
younger ones and sharing stories through painng and what they see around them. Geng in touch with nature. You feel
free when you’re out with nature.
”
Jenny’s arsc journey has been shaped by her Elders.
“I learnt from my grandmother (Nola Taylor) and grandfathers
(Muuki Taylor, Wokka Taylor) by going out on Country, sharing stories, and learning from them about the bush plants and
bush food. I painted before, but going to Parnngurr and being around old people really opened my mind. Seeing them
painng and what colours they used. My daughter started painng with the old people too, and she watches me paint their
stories now. I’d like to be an inspiraon to her and young people."
122 cm x 91 cm x 3 cm
Acrylic on canvas
