Sally Scales is featured in Grazia Magazine's September Issue.
“My inspiration is always my homeland,” says proud Pitjantjatjara woman, leader and artist Sally Scales. Hailing from the far west Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in remote South Australia, Scales’ connection to The Dreaming – ‘Tjukurpa’ in her native, near-extinct language – is the tether that binds her entire body of work. Typically working on large-scale linen canvases, “337-23AS” is a rather restrained acrylic work that tells the story of her country, identity and ancestors. “When I paint on canvas I can throw the paint and create many layers. On paper, I have to be very deliberate. I’m limited down to only five,” Scales shares. “Colour always informs my approach, but in a different way. [Here], it’s more about the absence of it.” The watercolour strokes intersecting with black and red circles are an ode to the artistic styles of her two grandmothers, Kuntjiriya Mick and Kunmanara (Wawiriya) Burton. The elements of the creative outputs of both her elders are a throughline which tell a story of neverending stewardship to lands and waters.
Artwork:
