Keturah Zimran OAM

Keturah Zimran OAM

Keturah was born in Haasts Bluff in 1978. She is the youngest daughter of Molly Napaltjarri Jugadai and Smithy Zimran. Keturah’s grandparents on her mother’s side are Narputta Nangala Jugadia and Timothy Jugadai Tjungurrayi. Narputta was a founding member of Ikuntji Artists and had been painting since the beginning of the Western Desert Painting Movement of the 1970s. Narputta was born at Karrkurutjintja (Lake Mcdonald). The rights to this country were passed to her from her father, Talaku Tjampitjinpa. This was then passed down to her mother, Molly and onto Keturah. Keturah’s grandmother and mother have since passed away, with Keturah being the only remaining daughter in this lineage of artist to still be painting this story.
Keturah’s father, Smithy Zimran was the younger brother of Ronnie Tjampitjinpa and Yuyuya Nampitjinpa. He was the youngest son of Uta Uta Tjangala’s older brother, Minpuru Tjangala. Uta Uta was the father of the late Ikuntji artist Kumuntjai Nampitjinpa Dixon and one of the founding members of the acrylic painting movement in Warumpi (Papunya). Smithy’s country is around Lampintja, southwest of Walungurru (Kintore). Smithy was born in 1949 out bush in Pinari near Walungurru (Kintore). He came to Ikuntji (Haasts Bluff) as a child in 1956 with his parents and later joined the Pintupi exodus to Kintore 1981. Smithy was an important leader and educator over his life, leading CANCA (Combined Aboriginal Nations of Central Australia) with its landmark Kalkaringi Statement and the establishment of a dialysis unit in Kintore. Smithy painted with Papunya Tula Artists in the 80s and 90s. He passed away in 2000.

Coming from a lineage of established artists, Keturah began painting seriously in 2005. Developing her own distinctive and bold style, she is fast becoming renowned both nationally and internationally. Most notably, her work is now a part of the Parliament House Collection and has been a finalist in numerous art awards including the 2019 Vincent Lingiari Award.
Keturah is married to Ikuntji male artist Billy Pareroultja and is a mother of eight young children.

This is her life story in her own words:

“I was born here and grew up here. I stay here a long time, Ikuntji is my home. My mother is from here my father is from Kintore. He is in the graveyard near the church. When I was little, I would watch my grandmother and mother paint. It was when I was young, I realized I wanted to paint. I started painting in 2005 and my brother paints as well. He paints waru, bush fire Dreaming.

I paint about the sand hills my mother also painted about the sand hills and the Napaltjarri sisters. I have my own family now. I have seven children. I have two granddaughters and two grandsons. My husband is also a painter. He paints about his grandfather’s country: Lake Mackay. I like to paint; painting helps me forget my troubles. I paint every day.

My Grandmother used to say to me when I was younger: “One day you will paint.” She told me to not go wrongly and to look after myself and go strong.

When I look at my paintings, I feel happy. My mother and I were closer when I was painting; I wish to be always able to paint.

When I was eight, we went to Lake Karrkurrutingtja, we walked around the lake, I remember playing with the white sand and then we all went swimming. Joe Multa and Timmy Jugadai came looking for us at night.

The sand hills I paint are my mother’s story and the rocks I paint are my own story. My paintings are about my story and my mother’s. Jeffery is my other brother he plays in a band and is also a painter. I am proud of my brothers.

Originally, we grew up on my father’s side in Kintore. Then, when I was ten, we moved here (Haasts Bluff) and I grew up with my grandmother. My mother joined us in 1985, a long time later. When I was in Kintore, I went to school where my father worked in the office, he was also a church person. He was a pastor and looked after people. He moved to Alice Springs when he got sick. My father gave me my name from the bible, it comes from the genesis 26. Keturah comes from the bible and it’s the name of Abraham’s wife. My mother worked in the Clinic as a Health worker.”

Arrernte, Luritja, Pintupi

Haasts Bluff

Artworks

Current Exhibitions

Upcoming Exhibitions

Past Exhibitions

Solo

  • 2016
    Put yourself in my shoes - Alice Nampitjinpa and Keturah Zimran, Suzanne OConnell Gallery, Brisbane.
  • 2014
    Puli Puli - Rocks, Suzanne OConnell Gallery, Brisbane.
  • 2008
    Nyarrumparra (with Joseph Zimran), Hogarth Galleries, Sydney.

Group

  • 2023
    Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out - Melbourne, VIC
  • 2023
    Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out - Sydney, NSW
  • 2023
    Ganbu Marra Runway, Melbourne Fashion Week, Melbourne, VIC
  • 2023
    Ikuntji Textiles, Central Craft, Alice Springs NT
  • 2023
    National Indigenous Art Fair, Sydney NSW
  • 2023
    Ikuntji Collection, Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, Sydney NSW
  • 2023
    Ikuntji Style, Artisan, Brisbane
  • 2023
    Ikuntji Style, artisan, Brisbane.
  • 2023
    Ikuntji Style, Artisan, Brisbane
  • 2023
    New Exuberance: Contemporary Australian Textile Design, Jam Factory, Adelaide.
  • 2022
    Hazelhurst Ikuntji Artists Printmaking 2022, Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Sydney.
  • 2022
    Design Show Australia: Australias Next Top Designer, ICC Sydney Exhibition Centre, Sydney.
  • 2022
    Tjungu Tjukurrpa Exhibition, Passage du Grand Cerf, Paris, France., 10 Sep. – 15 October
  • 2022
    2022 Tjunguku Tjukurrpa - Paris, voici nos Rêves !, IDAIA, Paris, France.
  • 2022
    Ikuntji Textiles, Central Craft, Alice Springs.
  • 2022
    Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin.
  • 2022
    ‘Nganana Tjungu – This is Us’, Songlines, Darwin.
  • 2022
    NAIDOC MCA Store Exhibition and Activation, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney.
  • 2022
    Weaving Culture II: Ikuntji Artists, IDAIA, Lyon, France., 9 Jun - 9 July
  • 2022
    London Pacific Fashion Week, Dublin Runway Show, Royal Dublin Society, Dublin, United Kingdom.
  • 2022
    First Nations Fashion Design - Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, Carriageworks, Sydney.
  • 2022
    Native Swimwear Collection - Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, Indigenous Fashion Projects - Carriageworks, Sydney.
  • 2022
    Melbourne Design Week - JamFactory Collaborations with First Nations Artists, RMIT Design Hub, Melbourne., 17 - 27 March
  • 2021
    IDAIA Christmas Exhibition, Lyon, France., 9 – 24 December
  • 2021
    TARNANTHI // Rekkan / Tamuwu / Nyinakati (sit/sit down), JamFactory, Adelaide., 9 October – 28 November
  • 2021
    “Painting Now – Peindre aujourd’hui en terres aborigènes”, IDAIA, Archives municipales in the Fort de Tourneville, Le Havre, France., 10 July – 7th November
  • 2021
    Land Drawing – Drawing of the Land, IDAIA, Les Jardins Suspendus, Le Havre, France., 3 July - 3 September
  • 2021
    Weaving Culture - Textiles aborigènes contemporains, IDAIA, Lyon, France.
  • 2020
    Story Necklace, South Australian Museum - Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery, Adelaide.
  • 2020
    Tarnanthi Art Fair 2020, Adelaide., Friday 4 – Sunday 6 December
  • 2020
    Country to Couture 2020, Darwin., Ikuntji X Magpie Goose fashion collaboration
  • 2020
    Ravenswood Womens Art Prize 2020 Finallist exhibition, Centenary Centre, Ravenswood School for Girls, Gordon.
  • 2020
    HOME:Made Exhibition and Online Auction, DESIGN Canberra 2020, Canberra.
  • 2020
    Walipan / Puli Puli (Weaving & Rocks), Northern Centre for Contemporary Art, Parap, Darwin.
  • 2020
    Ikuntji textiles Exhibition, Central Craft Alice Springs, Sun 6 Sep - Mon 28 Sep
  • 2020
    Pink Salon Art Projects, Darwin.
  • 2019
    2019 AIATSIS Indigenous Art Market, Adelaide.
  • 2019
    Tarnanthi Art Fair 2019, Adelaide.
  • 2019
    Desert Mob Market Place 2019, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs., 5th, 6th and 7th September
  • 2019
    Our Country – True Story, Vincent Lingiari Art Award Exhibition, Tangentyere Arts, Alice Springs.
  • 2019
    Ikuntji Textiles, Central Craft, Alice Springs.
  • 2019
    Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair 2019, Darwin., 9-11 August
  • 2019
    National Indigenous Art Fair, Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, Sydney.
  • 2019
    About Country, Talapi, Alice Springs.
  • 2018
    AIATSIS Aboriginal Art Fair 2018, Canberra.
  • 2018
    TARNANTHI Art Fair 2018, Adelaide.
  • 2018
    Parrtjima – A Festival in Light 2018, Alice Springs.
  • 2018
    Ikuntji Artists - Irrimatitja, Japingka Gallery, Fremantle.
  • 2018
    Desert Colour, Talapi, Alice Springs.
  • 2018
    Haasts Bluff contemporary art from the Ikuntji Artists, Yaama Ganu Gallery, Moree.
  • 2018
    Power and Colour, 34th annual San Francisco Tribal & Textile Art Show at Fort Mason, San Francisco, United States.
  • 2017
    Continuing Culture, Artitja Fine Art, South Fremantle.
  • 2017
    Desert Mob, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs.
  • 2017
    11th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin Convention Centre, Darwin.
  • 2017
    Centralian Art Award, Central Australian Art Society, Araluen Arts Centre Alice Springs.
  • 2017
    The Bold and the Beautiful, Talapi, Alice Springs.
  • 2017
    Ngurra Kutju - Tjukurrpa Tjuta, One Country - Many Stories, Exhibition at Colin Biggers & Paisley, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane.
  • 2017
    Stories are forever, Vivien Anderson Gallery presents at Merricks House Art Gallery, Merricks General Wine Store, Merricks on the Mornington Peninsula.
  • 2016
    Gems from the Desert, Aboriginal Signature Estrangin Gallery, Brussels.
  • 2016
    Length & Breadth, New acquisitions from the Parliament House Art Collection, Presiding Officers’ Exhibition Area, Parliament House, Canberra.
  • 2016
    10th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin Convention Centre, Darwin.
  • 2015
    Kaléidoscope millénaire avec les artistes dIkuntji, Aboriginal Signature - Estrangin Fine Art, Brussels, Belgium.
  • 2015
    Tarnanthi Festival Art Fair, Tandanya Institute. Adelaide.
  • 2015
    Tarnanthi Festival, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide.
  • 2015
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2015
    Ancestral Presence - Recent works by Ikuntji Artists, June Marriott Gallery, Central Craft, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2015
    9th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin.
  • 2015
    Alice Springs Beanie Festival - Opposites Attract, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2015
    JGM Art, SEEART fair, Royal Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom.
  • 2015
    OFF FAIR 2015, Aboriginal Signature- Estrangin Fine Art, Brussels, Belgium.
  • 2015
    Spirit Country, Outback Aboriginal Art, Melbourne.
  • 2015
    Tjulpu, Talapi, Alice Springs.
  • 2014
    Around the Campfire - Fundraiser Concert, Alice Springs Convention Centre, Alice Springs.
  • 2014
    I Probably Dont Like You, Curated by Nick Devlin and Fergus Binns, The Alderman, East Brunswick.
  • 2014
    JGM Art at Lapada Art & Antiques Fair, Berkeley Square, London, United Kingdom.
  • 2014
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2014
    21 Years Ikuntji Artists Festival, Haasts Bluff.
  • 2014
    Arthouse, Gallery Yeh, Seoul, South Korea.
  • 2014
    Transformations, JGM Art, Indigenous Art Exhibition, Lacey Contemporary, London, United Kingdom.
  • 2013
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2013
    SOAF Seoul Open Art Fair, Seoul, Korea.
  • 2013
    Emerging Artists Exhibition: Big Mob Rocks, Tali Gallery, Sydney.
  • 2010
    Black and White, Tali Gallery, Sydney.
  • 2010
    Where Creeks Cross, Booker Lowe Gallery, Texas, United States.
  • 2010
    Ikuntji Icons, ArtMob, Hobart.
  • 2010
    Tjanabi, ArtKelch, Freiburg, German.
  • 2009
    Ikuntji meets Brisbane, Woolloongabba Art Gallery, Brisbane.
  • 2009
    Ikuntji Icons, ArtMob, Hobart.
  • 2008
    Ikuntji Artists, QDos Arts, Lorne.
  • 2008
    Mixed Show, Palya Art, Mary Place Gallery, Sydney.
  • 2008
    New Paintings from the Desert, Centred Art, Brisbane.
  • 2008
    Ikuntji Artists, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney.
  • 2008
    Ikuntji Artists, Beckworth Gallery, Ballarat.
  • 2008
    Palya Art, Cabinet Malemont, Paris, France.
  • 2008
    Palya Art, Gallows Gallery, Perth.
  • 2008
    Group Show, Ballan and Pannan Galleries, Alice Springs.
  • 2008
    Ikuntji, Desert Sands Contemporary Aboriginal Art, Mayfair London, United Kingdom.
  • 2008
    Ikuntji Now, Woolloongabba Art Gallery, Brisbane.
  • 2008
    Cultural Connections Desert Stories, Artitja Fine Art, Perth.
  • 2007
    Ikuntji, Victoria Carroll and Jennifer Guerrini Maraldi, Battersea London.
  • 2007
    Yungkiya & Kulunypa- Old & New, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney.
  • 2007
    Ikuntji Artists, Jennifer Guerrini-Maraldi Contemporary Fine Art, London.
  • 2007
    Ikuntji Painters, Footsteps Gallery, Brisbane.
  • 2007
    Divas of the Desert, Gondwana Gallery, Alice Springs & Sydney.
  • 2007
    Ikuntji Show, QDos Gallery, Lorne.
  • 2007
    North Meets South: Ikuntji and Tjala Arts Converge, ReDot Gallery, Singapore.
  • 2006
    Ngankirritja, Indigenart, Perth/
  • 2005
    Desert Belles, ReDot Gallery, Singapore.

Collections

  • Collection Sordello Missana, France.
  • Lady Cilento Childrens Hospital Art Collection, Brisbane.
  • Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra.
  • International Education Services - IES, Brisbane.
  • Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Art Collection, Canberra.
  • Louis Louboutin, Paris, France.
  • CFMEU Collection, Brisbane.