HERMANNSBURG POTTERS
est. 1990 - present
Ntaria (Hermannsburg) is a former Lutheran mission about 130km west of Alice Springs in Western Arrernte country. It is now the home of the Hermannsburg Potters. The Arrernte people from this area are famous for their watercolours of the desert interior of Australia, in the tradition of Albert Namatjira.
When the Arrernte community assumed responsibility for the community in 1982, Aboriginal Pastor Nahasson Ungwanaka sought avenues to develop and promote the welfare of his people. Many Arrernte had experience modelling clay figures through their schooling and Ungwanaka lodged a request for instruction in ceramics. This resulted in the appointment of a ceramics teacher and the establishment of a pottery studio. After nearly two decades of operation, a core group of dedicated women artists have developed a unique style combining Native American–style coil-built pots, clay figures and Arrernte landscapes.
The Potters have retained strong links to the watercolour landscape painting movement that many of the women remember seeing in their childhood, which continues as an influence and source of pride in the community, as Judith Inkamala explains:
We like to watch them old pictures. Copy them a bit. Still keep it, remembering. All our young people should learn the watercolour. We saw Albert and the others. We know it and carry it in our work. We the same family.
These ceramics and paintings constantly reinvent the tradition born at Ntaria six decades ago while further strengthening their connection to country.
Bruce Johnson McLean
Creator details
- Principal country
- Organisation
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HERMANNSBURG POTTERS
- Date of birth
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est. 1990

Albert Namatjira 2017
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- INKAMALA, Judith Pungkarta - Potter

Artist house 2014
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- INKAMALA, Judith Pungkarta - Potter

Tjankana (mistletoe berry) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Yirrampa (honey ant) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Kupaarta arnka ngrra (bush plums, ripening) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Rraatninga (wild passionfruit) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Kupaarta urnma (bush plums, ripe) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Tjaapa tnyamaatja (witchetty grubs) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Taltjakurla (mulga apple) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Pmurlpa (quondong) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Paraltja lerop (red river gum leaf) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Langkwa (bush banana) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Ngaraaka (bush bean) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Urrarlpa (native tomato in hilly habitats) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Arrkarma (bloodwood apple) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Latjia (pencil yam) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Yalka (wild onion) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Mpaltjarta (wild orange) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Lupa (wattle seed) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Tjurka (bush fig) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Katjirra (bush tomato, over-ripe) (from 'Bush tucker' series) 2009
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Sand dunes at Papunya 2007
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RONTJI, Lindy - Potter

Koprillia Day at Hermannsburg 2007
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Ntaria Garage 2007
- INKAMALA, Clara - Potter
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop

Pink galahs at Imarlkna 2006
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- INKAMALA, Judith Pungkarta - Potter

Rubbing salts 2006
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- ENTATA, Irene Mbitjana - Potter

Journey to Horseshoe Bend 2006
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- ENTATA, Irene Mbitjana - Potter

Ankarta (Frill-necked lizard) 2005
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- UNGWANAKA, Rahel - Potter

Owl 2005
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- UNGWANAKA, Rahel - Potter

Pot: Mission days 2005
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- ENTATA, Irene Mbitjana - Potter

Pot: Kookaburras 2004
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- UNGWANAKA, Rahel - Potter

Pot: Footy (Lions vs Bombers) 2004
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- ENTATA, Irene Mbitjana - Potter

Pot: Enalaunga (Echidna) family 2004
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- INKAMALA, Judith Pungkarta - Potter

Pot: (Bush orange) 2002
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- KENNEDY, Esther - Potter

Pot: Kuparda (Bush plum) 2002
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RUBUNTJA, Rona - Potter

Pot: Tompa (Perentie) 2002
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- UNGWANAKA, Rahel - Potter

Pot: (Butterfly) 2002
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RONTJI, Lindy - Potter

Pot: Reelpa (Drovers) 2002
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- ENTATA, Irene Mbitjana - Potter

Pot: (Ant on climbing plant) 2002
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- ENTATA, Irene Mbitjana - Potter

Pot: Ilia (Emu) 2002
- INKAMALA, Clara - Potter
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop

Rex and Albert painting in Palm Valley 2001
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- ENTATA, Irene Mbitjana - Potter

The events leading to Albert's death 2001
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- ENTATA, Irene Mbitjana - Potter

Albert Namatjira droving 2001
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- ENTATA, Irene Mbitjana - Potter

Pot: Eeritja (Eagle) 2001
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- INKAMALA, Judith Pungkarta - Potter

Pot: Eerarnta (Black cockatoo) 2000
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RONTJI, Carol - Potter

Pot: Cows 2000
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- ENTATA, Irene Mbitjana - Potter

Tompa (Perentie) 1997
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- RONTJI, Carol - Potter

Pot: Eeritja (Eagles) 1997
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- HUDSON, Noreen Ngala - Potter

Owl 1996
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- NAMATJIRA, Elaine - Potter
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