6-23KA, Kaltjiti Arts, acrylic on linen, 200 x 200 cm
Glady's paintings are inspired by the traditional country around the Fregon (Kaltjiti) Community. Knowledge of their location was essential to survival in nomadic times The sandhills are interspersed by vast, flat plains of spinifex and native grasses which are criss-crossed by dry creeks surrounding Fregon on the *APY Lands. Her painting shows the rock holes (tjukula) and places around the Fregon Community. The red colour depicts the sand hills (tali) as Fregon is in the Tali (no rocks - puli). The creek runs through the community, this is called Officer Creek. It is mostly dry but after big rains becomes flooded and the community gets cut off. The patchwork effect of the land and the creeks which flood during heavy rain is changeable. The intense 'red' of the earth, however, is enduring. Gladys says "This is my country, I was born in Alice Springs but grew up in Fregon with my mother, Kathy Maringka, father, Johnny Roberts and sisters and brothers".
