Stoneware vase by Tjunkaya Tapaya OAM

This unique handcrafted stoneware vase is inscribed with depictions of Country. Ngura Wiryunya (Beautiful Country) and Mai Putitja (Bush Foods). It was made by distiguished artist Tjunkaya Tapaya OAM.

Tjunkaya is a member of the Pitjantjatjara people. She was born in the desert in the far northwest of South Australia and grew up at Ernabella Mission. She is a member of Ernabella Arts and Tjanpi Desert Weavers. Apart from ceramics, Tjunkaya is well-known for her batik artworks, printmaking and weaving and her artwork can be found in national collections across Australia.

As a part of 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours, Tapaya was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of her service to Indigenous visual arts and the community.