Two Traveling Women at Lupulnga 2009

Makinti Napanangka made this painting, Two Traveling Women at Lupulnga, with what looks like layered strokes in ochre yellow, pale lilac, and white. Imagine her moving across the surface, maybe sitting on the ground, building up the image one stroke at a time. I can see a story unfolding as the colors bleed into each other, some pale pink and gray too. There are some darker lines toward the bottom, like shadows or maybe the earth itself. The artist must have been working outside, responding directly to the land. It feels so real, so felt. It reminds me of Agnes Martin’s quiet paintings. Each stroke seems to be in conversation with the one next to it. And together, they create this incredibly gentle rhythm. We painters, we’re all looking at each other’s work, responding, always in dialogue. It is an ongoing exchange of ideas, inspiring one another’s creativity. This work makes me want to go back to my studio and just paint.