- Artist: Nungalka (Tjaria) Stanley
- Art Centre: Ernabella Arts
- Region: Central Australia
Artwork Story
Tjariya is a Pitjantjatara woman, born in Wingelina in 1939. She lives and works in Ernabella and has two daughters, one of which is also a very good artists (Renita). Tjariya has been involved in the art centre for a long time and has mastered several different mediums. In the 1970’s she learnt batik from Daisy Baker following her visit to Indonesia, and has developed into one of Ernabella’s most accomplished batik artists. She has also taught herself weaving with grass and raffia (tjanpi) and crocheting mukata (beanies) with the sheep wool that she still hand spins. More recently she has also developed as a painter and ceramic designer, and uses these mediums to tell tjukurpa (creation stories) of her country and family, or uses designs of the landscape such as tjukula (rockholes) and flowers.
Tjariya is a stalwart of the community and the heart of the art centre. Her traditional knowledge is strong and deep and she is also a ngankari (traditional healer). She is an excellent story teller, and delights in telling stories of when she was a young girl growing up in Ernabella mission.