The Hermannsburg Potters are a collective of highly respected senior women artists of the Western Arrarnta (Arrernte) community. Through their vibrant hand-coiled, hand-painted terracotta pots, they tell stories of the local wildlife, Country and everyday life, reflecting their cultural beliefs and traditions. Each of the artists has their own individual style and approach. Ntaria (Hermannsburg) is a former Lutheran mission located 130 km west of Mparntwe (Alice Springs) in the Northern Territory. Hermannsburg Potters was established in 1990 several years after the land was returned to the traditional Arrarnta owners. Since then, Hermannsburg Potters has thrived, becoming a source of revenue for the community and an important form of traditional and contemporary expression for the local people.
Greg Weight took this photograph of the Hermannsburg Potters during a trip to the Finke River. As he recalled in his book, Australian Artists: 'The women were less self-conscious sitting on the banks of the Finke than they were in the pottery – their sense of belonging to the land was so strong that it was tangible.' Depicted in this image are (left to right): Carol Panangka Rontji, Judith Pungarta Inkamala, Clara Ngalala Inkamala, Vera Mbitjana Williams, Irene Mbitjana Entata, Lindy Panangka Rontji, Rahel Ungwanaka Kngwarria and Esther Ngala Kennedy.
Gift of Patrick Corrigan AM 2004. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
© Gregory Weight/Copyright Agency, 2024
Greg Weight (age 53 in 1999)
Carol Panangka Rontji (age 31 in 1999)
Esther Ngala Kennedy (age 52 in 1999)
Vera Mbitjana Williams (age 33 in 1999)
Irene Mbitjana Entata (age 53 in 1999)
Rahel Kngwarria Ungwanaka (age 53 in 1999)
Lindy Panangka Rontji (age 37 in 1999)
Judith Pungarta Inkamala (age 52 in 1999)
Patrick Corrigan AM (130 portraits)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
Greg Weight on working with Jiawei Shen, and starting out as a photographer.
Portraits of philanthropists in the collection honour their contributions to Australia and acknowledge their support of the National Portrait Gallery.
