Malpiya Davey facts for kids

Malpiya Davey, also known as Irpintiri Davey, is an Aboriginal Australian artist. She comes from a place called Pukatja in South Australia. Malpiya is most famous for her amazing ceramic artworks.

Besides ceramics, she also creates beautiful paintings, prints, and woven pieces. Malpiya works at Ernabella Arts, which is a special art center in Pukatja. This center opened a ceramic studio in 2003. Since then, Malpiya has become one of its most important artists. She is especially good at a ceramic technique called sgraffito. This is where you scratch designs into the surface of the clay.

About Malpiya's Art

Malpiya is a member of the Pitjantjatjara people, an Aboriginal group. Her family's traditional land, or country, is west of Pukatja. This area is near the border with Western Australia.

Designs and Inspiration

Malpiya decorates her ceramic pieces with shiny glazes or painted patterns. Her designs often show different traditional bush foods from her family's country. These foods include kampuṟarpa (desert raisins) and wayaṉu (quandong). She also depicts iḻi (wild figs). These bush foods are a big part of her sgraffito artworks.

Exhibitions and Collections

Malpiya's ceramic art has been shown in many big art shows across Australia. Her work has been displayed at places like Flinders University and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Notable Shows

Her art was also featured twice at the yearly Desert Mob exhibition in Alice Springs. This happened in 2003 and again in 2004.

Where to See Her Work

Examples of Malpiya's art are kept in important art collections. You can find her pieces at the Art Gallery of South Australia. Her work is also at the National Gallery of Australia. The National Museum of Australia has some of Malpiya's screen prints too.