Productivity Commission

Elizabeth’s visual iconography speaks to a concept that is central to her practice – Connection to Country. The relationships with the landscape that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have is difficult to measure or quantify. Anangu has a word they use to describe this relationship – Tjukurpa. Tjukurpa is difficult to translate because all the words in the English Language are inadequate. It speaks of Stories, Dreaming, Songlines, Lore – but really, Tjukurpa is a way of being and experiencing the world around you. Anangu relationships with Country is far more than what we see with our eyes; but rather, what we feel with our spirit. Anangu has a relationship with every plant, animal, bird, rock, and grain of sand. And likewise, Tjukurpa is something that exists in all facets of the landscape.

Tunupa (Sandhills) reflects the way in which songlines and creation stories can be seen and felt through this connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have with their Country. There is no delineation between people, earth, sea and sky; animal, bird and plant. They are all inherently as much a part of us as we are of them.

This work is profoundly informed by this relationship and interconnectedness of the different facets of the landscape.