'My birthplace is Derby, I was born in the old hospital there in 1976. Then my mother used to live in Bidyadanga, so I grew up in Bidgy and went to school there. We used to travel a bit when we were young with our grandmother.
When I was a teenager I asked my grandmother“ Where is your Country? I want to know your Country”. She was from the Great Central Desert, Kulyakartu. She told me, “Go to the desert, go to Parnngurr, and you’ll see my brothers and sisters.” I went there, I saw his [her] brothers and sisters, and they looked the same. Jamu (grandfather) Muuki [Taylor] and Nola [Nyalangka] Taylor. She’s the youngest sister, she has the same face too.
Before that I thought we were from the coast; we love the coast and we grew up there. The coast provided food for us, learning as we grew up to hunt and go fishing, but in the back of my head something felt missing. I used to think, “Where are your roots?” When I discovered my grandmother was from the bush, I continued on that path, wanting to know more. Now I’ve been living in the desert for a long time- working and painting with Martumili and KJ [Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa] rangers, and I know the impact it can have on you.
My grandmother didn’t manage to go back to her Country because she passed on, but I went back there and now I paint that Country- that Country is mine through my blood, through my DNA. Painting my Country strengthens that connection- knowing that I belong to that place. It's a tribute to my grandmother. In a sense we know where we come from because of my grandmothers and grandfathers.' Derrick Butt 2022

Kindly held in conjunction with Martumili Artists, the exhibition runs from 15 July - 5 August
Please click here to download a digital catalogue