4008, Nyurnma (Burnt Country), Jenny Butt

Best Overall Artwork Winner

Sponsor: City of Karratha 

Prize: $20,000 

Judge’s comments:  

This work stood out for its immediate impact, and its complex depth of colour and composition. The work communicates with palpable authority, and of all the works in the show, continued to speak and resonate with repeated viewings. It is a work that is generous in allowing us time and space to stand before it. Although the details of the story embedded in the work may not be instantly clear, it allows us to enter, establish our own bearings and wonder at what this country might be prepared to tell us if we are patient enough to open our eyes and ears. 

ARTWORK ID: 4008

CATEGORY: Painting by Pilbara Indigenous Artist

ARTIST STATEMENT:

"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, learning about the different sides of burning. Talking about before burning and after burning, and how people go hunting after burning, looking for goanna. Teaching the younger generation where and when to hunt for goanna.

I learnt painting from my grandmother (Nola Taylor) and my grandfathers (Muuki Taylor, Wokka Taylor dec.) by going out on Country, sharing stories, and learning from them about bush plants and bush food. I painted before, but going to Parnngurr and being around old people really opened my mind - seeing them paint and the colours they used. My daughter started painting with the old people too, and now she watches me paint their stories. I'd like to be an inspiration to her and to young people."
- Jenny Butt

This artwork reflects the cultural practice of bush burning, carried out to care for Country and keep it healthy. For Aboriginal people across the desert and coast, burning has always been part of life - lighting small, cool fires at the right time, in the right places, and reading the land to know when it is ready. Today, ranger groups continue this traditional practice, and many Bidyadanga artists also work as rangers with the Karajarri Rangers, Nyangumarta Rangers, or Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa (Martu) Rangers. Jenny Butt lives between Bidyadanga and Martu Country in the Pilbara.

The artwork evokes memories of watching smoke drift across spinifex and grass Country, listening to teachings about fire, seasons, wind and plants. Burning helps new growth come through, brings animals back to feed, clears tracks, protects water places, and reduces the risk of hot wildfires. It is a gentle and skilled practice, guided by knowledge passed down through generations.

Patterns and colours echo flickering flame lines, ash on the ground, shoots of new green, and the mosaic of burnt and unburnt Country. Through this work, the artist celebrates the strength of traditional fire knowledge and the ongoing practice of caring for Country - so Country can continue to care for the people.

MEDIUM: Acrylic on Canvas

ARTWORK DIMENSIONS (width x height): 610mm x 910mm

WEIGHT (approx): 2kg

ARTIST LOCATION: BROOME, WA