Hunting Malu

Mary Pantjiti McLean commenced drawing and painting in 1992 in a figurative manner and has since that time steadily established her position as a visual artist in Australia.She has won awards both for her art and her work with young people encouraging them through her commitment to a healthy lifestyle. She has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by Curtin University for her contribution to the arts in Western Australia.

Visually distinct because of the manner in which people, animals, birds and the topography of the land  are portrayed, her work is instantly identifiable. Pantjiti Mary McLean’s paintings reflect her stories and memories. The artist is represented in all major public collections.

This painting is of a Wadi (man) and Minma (woman) who sat down at a rockhole. They had spear, digging stick (wani) and dish (wira). Their dog smelt a malu (kangaroo) and pursued the malu and killed it. The wadi and minma cooked the malu. They sat down in another place. This is out near Docker River / Blackstone. The painting was a purchased from the artist during a project Nalda Searle was involved in at PICA with Mary in attendance. The story as told by the artist was inscribed on the verso of the canvas board with full details of the artist and dated. A unique and very early work, painted at the very beginning of her career.