Tali
Sharon Napanangka Butcher
94cm x 74cm

Tali (Sand Hills) by Sharon Napanangka Butcher

In this painting, Sharon Napanangka Butcher depicts Tali, the sand hills that stretch across the desert Country of the Western Desert region. “Tali” refers to the long rolling sand dunes that shape the landscape and guide the journeys of people and ancestral beings across Country.

Using rhythmic patterns, flowing lines and layered dot work, Sharon represents the undulating dunes as they rise and fall across the land. These sand hills are not only physical landmarks but also hold deep cultural knowledge. They are pathways through Country, places where bush foods can be found, and where important Dreaming stories are remembered and passed down through generations.

The soft movement and repeating forms in the painting reflect the quiet beauty and vastness of the desert landscape. Through her work, Sharon celebrates the deep connection between people and Country, honoring the ancestral stories and the knowledge embedded within the sand hills.