Teresa Stevens, granddaughter of the famed late artist Eileen Yaritja Stevens, was born in the bush at a homeland called Double Tank near Fregon in 1976. Her father’s country is Piltati, an important waterhole close to Nyapari Community and a strong theme in her work. Her mother’s place is Areyonga in the Northern Territory.
Teresa was painting and living in Nyapari with Tjungu Palya art centre for many years. She has recently returned to her birthplace of Fregon where she continues her painting at Kaltjiti Arts.
Teresa’s father is Keith Stevens and her mother Tjanpuwa Stevens, both established artists.
Teresa’s Seven Sister Tjukurpa is a story of two sisters who love and care for each other. They share food and water and travel the country together with their piti (bowl) and wana (digging stick) looking for bush foods. The
two sisters have great knowledge of the waterholes and bush foods. They share their spoils, and stay together in unison.
Teresa also paints Kapi Tjukula Pulka, Big Water in the Rock-Holes. With the arrival of heavy rain, water cascades down the rocks and fills these rock-holes. The children slide down the rock-faces into the tjukula, which act as
large natural waterslides. The surrounding flora comes alive, unleashing prominent contrasts of colour against the red earth, and providing food integral for the survival in the desert. These Tjukula are called Ali Wanyu
Wanyu, they are close to the homelands of Watinuma in the APY Lands.
bio courtesy Kaltjiti Arts (c)