Christchurch Project

In the wake of the 2019 Christchurch Mosque Shootings, Senior Anangu Women led by Nyunmiti Burton gathered in Amata to make two painting for the victims of the New Zealand tragedy. The paintings created depict Utulkunpu or honey grevillea, a plant that is an important food and water source in the region, and that also has magnificent golden blooms. While painting, the women spoke of how this painting is akin to presenting grieving families with flowers at the funeral. They also spoke about the long history, and for some personal stories, of the Afghan cameleers who travelled to the APY Lands in the early 20th century. Over the weekend, two artworks were created. The larger work was gifted to the Muslim community in Christchurch in May 2019, and the other presented to the Muslim community in Adelaide, who is by coincidence a sister city for Christchurch.

“We are not family, but we are still the same…different people with different languages, but the spirit is one. We wanted to tell the people of New Zealand that we know you are sad inside, but you will be happy again. That’s why we painted flowers, knowing in our hears that the joy will come.” Nyunmiti Burton