KAALPA (WELL 23)
Artist: Corban Clause Williams
“Kaalpa (Kalypa, Canning Stock Route Well 23) is my grandfather’s Country. There’s a waterhole there, Kaalpa waterhole. It’s my two pops’ Country. They been walking around, hunting around Kaalpa. You can see a yapu (rock), warla (lake), claypans, karru (creek) and tuwa (sandhills) there. It’s on the [Canning] Stock Route, it’s Well 23.
“In pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) days, pujimanpa (desert born people) walking around all this Country. My pops told me about that place, a big flat area, parlkarra (flat country) good for hunting parnajarrpa (goanna), lunki (witchetty grub), lungkurta (blue tongue lizard), wamurla (bush tomato), jinyjiwirrilyi (wild gooseberry). Kaalpa is a busy place for emus getting a drink.
“I went [to Kaalpa] for the first time [in 2018] on a Martumili KJ (Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa) trip. I went hunting there, got a parnajarrpa. When I went there, I was pukurlpa (happy). It made you open up your spirit, it feels like home.”
CORBAN CLAUSE WILLIAMS
CORBAN CLAUSE WILLIAMS
Birth Date 1994
Language Manyjilyjarra
Skin Milangka
Place of Birth Newman
Biography
I was born in Newman hospital. Mum, Dad, Nanna and Pop lived in Jigalong before, but they moved into town before I was born. I’m one of seven children.
I grew up in Newman- this is my home. I like to travel but I worry about home. When I was younger I went to Newman Primary (Yellow) School and Newman Senior High School.
My Nanna and Pop used to take us out hunting for bush tucker. I’d help them make a fire and tea. Me and Pop would go out to the swamp area between Newman and Kumarina. Nan, Pop, Mum and Dad would tell funny stories about our family and make me laugh.
I work teaching Cultural Awareness with KJ (Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa, ranger organisation) teaching Cultural Awareness, and help the YMCA with youth programs. I work at Martumili too, helping to sell the paintings and get the canvas ready. I come to Martumili to paint about my Country, where my grandfather walked around and collected food, and visited the same rockholes I do. I paint to keep my culture and stories and share with others.
Solo Exhibitions
2019 Kaalpa
Group Exhibitions
2019 Punmukarti!, Yaama Gaanu, Moree NSW
2019 Desert Mob 2019, Araluen Art Centre, Alice Springs NT
2018 Hedland Art Award, The Courthouse Gallery, Port Hedland, WA
2018 Desert Mob 2019
2018 Martuku Ninti (Martu Knowledge), Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne VIC
2018 Pujiman, Martumili Artists and Spinifex Hill Artists, Port Hedland Courthouse Gallery
2017 Hedland Art Award, The Courthouse Gallery, Port Hedland, WA