Explore the Pilbara
Tracks We Share is a journey of coming together, a collaboration between artists who have generously shared their stories.
“It’s the footstep that is passed down from history. As the Pilbara, we are all doing that. It’s a journey, that road, all as one. Cause that yiwarra [track] is for you and me.”
– Heather Samson, Martumili Artists
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Pilbara Region
The area known as the Pilbara is located in the north of Western Australia and covers an astonishing 507,896 square kilometres of unique natural landscapes. The region is the ancestral homelands of a number of Aboriginal communities whose stories and experiences have informed and shaped Tracks We Share.
Roebourne
Art Centres
“It feels good being an artist. I can start learning new things. Doing a lot of paintings and other stuff. Learn other stuff. I paint because I like it.”
“The Elders would get all the stories, they would put it in an artform … and share that as another interpreting of Yindjibarndi stories. We could put it in our books and documentaries, but we could also share this on canvas. The Elders, they prepared us for the future. They started Juluwarlu, they named it, they created the objectives of it, and it was to pass on the knowledge.”
“Yinjaa-Barni is working together, doing things together, you know, it doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, at least your heart is in painting, and working together. We like to keep that spirit going, Yinjaa-Barni, you know and it’s always working together.”
Newman
Art Centres
“Big art centre, Martumili. The old people, they did this art centre. For everybody. For everyone. Doesn’t matter who’s not an artist or [is an] artist, it’s for everyone. And we keep our art centre strong, our old peoples really happy for our young ones working here. The oldies, they can get really happy, pukurlpa. And we, young people [who] work for art centre, we help our Elders, old people, you know.”
South Hedland
Art Centres
“If you’re Indigenous, no matter where you come from, you’re welcome to come to Spini and paint. We have lots of different artists from all over, and yeah, it’s just a good place to come and paint.”