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In April this year, I ventured out to Nyiyaparli Country to intern with Martumili Artists through the Aurora Foundation Internship Program. This was not an experience that I ever thought that I would be able to have, especially whilst studying at university, but I am glad that I took the plunge and went. A month in the desert was nothing short of transformative.
My role in this internship was based around art production. This ranged from stretching and priming canvases ready to go for artists to use, mixing paints to either fill up colours that were running out or have the creative freedom to make new colours, and overall looking out for mob by making cups of tea and cooking up lunch. By the end of it, I guess you could say I could make a good cuppa tea.
One of the reasons why I wanted to go was to connect with mob and learn about what mob are like out West. I learned about Martu Wangka (language), the history of Martu people and how art styles are still a part of Martu culture to this very day. Desert art plays a pivotal role in storytelling especially for Martu mob. Some stories are based on Jukurrpa (Dreaming), Ngurra (home), and Marlpa (company/companionship).
Aurora Foundation were really accommodating to my needs and helped me with any questions I had and ensured I was looked after. If there are any mob who are looking for something to do in either the Winter or Summer break, reach out to Aurora, they can help you find an internship that suits your interests and can lead you in directions you never thought of going.