We are proud to be associated with and support this art centre as the Artists receive no government funding and have succeeded through their incredible talent and tireless work.
Watiyawanu is more commonly known as Mount Liebig, an Aboriginal community located 325 kilometers North West of Alice Springs. Originally an outstation of Haasts Bluff, it lies at the foot of Mount Liebig on Haasts Bluff Aboriginal Reserve at the most western end of the Western McDonnell Ranges.
Mount Liebig and the surrounding outstations are home to around 320 people and the well known Watiyawanu Artists Corporation. Watiyawanu Arts was started around June 1993 when a group of local painters, together with Glenis Wilkins, the store manager, and community nursing sister,
Peter Malavisi, held a meeting and decided that Mount Liebig should start their own art corporation.
The first Watiyawanu artists included Punata Stockman Nungarrayi, Jillian Stockman Nungarrayi, Lynette Corby Nungarrayi, Jeanie Ross, Sandra Turner and Petra Turner. Enthusiasm and support for the group has grown over the years and most of the community is now involved in the art group in some capacity.
From humble beginnings and without external funding, Watiyawanu Artists are yet to receive any grants or government financial support. Proudly, they have established themselves to the extent that Watiyawanu art is now selling to collectors, museums and galleries around Australia, and in some cases overseas.
This success has not come without hard work, from the painters and in particular the volunteer coordinators, who work closely with the Aboriginal owners to perform the myriad of tasks involved in sustaining a business.
The Watiyawanu Art range is diverse and creative. From family Tjukkurpa dreaming stories, passed down over time and retold in symbols with acrylic on canvas, to artifacts from bean tree and Mulga wood and beautiful necklaces made from aninti beads and hair.
While the art and artifacts are consistent with Western desert art, Watiyawanu paintings tend to be painted in more traditional and earthy colors than that of other desert communities.
Watiyawanu Dreaming is of a magical woman who lives in the hills and is known for caring for the women and children of the community. Amunturrungu is willywag tail dreaming.
The Art centre is home to many famous artists, including:
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