"Piltati Tjukurpa" Rhoda Tjitayi 90cm x 90cm

Rhoda's Impact in the Adelaide Art Scene

Rhoda Tjitayi’s art is more than just a visual experience but a bridge between generations, a story woven in paint. Her recent artistic works have left a lasting impression on Adelaide’s art scene. Recently she painted a mural at the Art Gallery of South Australia standing as a testament to her talent and cultural storytelling. Rhoda is helping to shape the city’s appreciation for Aboriginal art, ensuring that these powerful traditions continue to thrive in a modern setting.

Coming from the APY Lands, her artworks are treasured for their depth, cultural significance, and vibrant storytelling, offering Adelaide audiences and world wide audiences a deeper look into APY Lands artwork. Now based in Adelaide, Rhoda continues to create magnificent artworks that are eyes catching but also shows her connections to her aboriginal heritage and the land. 

"Piltati Tjukurpa" Rhoda Tjitayi 141cm x 79cm

Rhoda's Background

• Born in 1969 in Pukatja, South Australia, Rhoda Tjitayi comes from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands.
• She has deep familial ties to Nyapari and Makiri, the sacred honey ant Women’s place. Raised with the rich cultural traditions of her people.
• She paints the ancestral creation story of Piltati Tjukurpa, passed down from her grandmother.
• Susan Tjitayi, her sister, is also an artist who paints the same story. The two have painted alongside each other.

The Story of "Piltati Tjukurpa"

• The story tells of two sisters, Wanyinta and Alartjatjarra, who journeyed across the land with their husbands in search of food.

• While the sisters diligently hunted and gathered, one day they chose to eat some of their catch before returning home.

• Enraged by this, their husbands transformed into water snakes and, in an act of vengeance, swallowed the sisters whole.

"Piltati Tjukurpa" Rhoda Tjitayi 89cm x 122cm

Her Artistic Journey Continues

Rhoda has painted in our gallery many time and it’s always a joy to watch her bring her stories to life. She primarily uses purples, pinks, blues, greens, and reds, creating striking contrasts in her compositions. Rhoda has a vibrant personality, and her work just keeps getting better. It’s always a pleasure to see her, as she continues her artistic art journey.

Her involvement in exhibitions and public artworks ensures that these important stories and traditions remain at the forefront of the city's creative landscape. As she continues to inspire both local and international audiences, Rhoda’s work solidifies her place as a key figure in shaping the future of Aboriginal artists who come from the APY lands.

View Rhoda's Full Collection Here