Pulya Taylor

Pulya Taylor is an Aboriginal artist from central Australia. She makes wooden objects, known in the Western Desert as puṉu. She makes these by carving the wood and then engraving patterns (walka) into its surface with a burning wire.[1] This technique is called pokerwork. The wood she uses is sourced locally from the area around Uluṟu, where she lives.

Pulya Taylor
Born
Walytjatjata, Northern Territory
NationalityAustralian
OccupationSculptor, craftswoman
Years active1980–present
OrganizationMaṟuku Arts
StylePokerwork
Spouse(s)Tony Tjamiwa (died May 2001)

Taylor was born and grew up around Walytjatjata, in the southwest corner of the Northern Territory. She began working in arts and crafts at Ernabella in the late 1940s.[1] She later moved to Amaṯa with her husband, Tony Tjamiwa. In 1983, Taylor and Tjamiwa, together with Topsy Tjulyata, Walter Pukutiwara, Peter Yates and Pat D'Arango, travelled around artist communities in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands. This was to discuss the idea of setting up a new craft centre at Uluṟu, which would sell artworks from around the region to tourists. The couple moved to Muṯitjulu so that they could help set it up.[2][3] Taylor was one of the first artists for Maṟuku Arts, and she is still an executive member.[1]

Taylor is probably best known for her sculptures of animals, such as birds, numbats, snakes, the echidna, and the perentie lizard.[4] The animals all have spiritual Tjukurpa legends attached to them, and each represents a different creation ancestor from the Dreamtime.[1]

Taylor's work has been exhibited in many places around Australia. It has also been shown overseas, including at the Commonwealth Institute in London, in 2000.[5] Examples of her work are held in the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney,[1] the National Gallery of Australia,[6] and the National Museum of Australia.[4]

References
  1. "2004/15/2 Carved animal, 'Walawuru Wedge-tailed Eagle' Tjulpu (bird)". Powerhouse Museum, Australia. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  2. Wells, Kathryn (February 2011). "Clive Scollay, Maruku Arts, Punu work: history, tradition and innovation, interview". Craft Australia. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  3. Hodge, Su; James, Judith; Lawson, Amanda (September 1998). "Miles ahead: marketing that works in regional Australia" (PDF). Australia Council. p. 40. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2016.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. "Works by Pulya Taylor". Collection Online. National Museum of Australia. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  5. Finnane, Kieran (27 October 1999). "Bucks and bouquets: centre's art goes overseas". Alice Springs News.
  6. "Taylor, Pulya". Collection Online. National Gallery of Australia. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
This article includes text from the Powerhouse Museum, Australia, which has been licensed under CC-BY-SA.
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