The blue mountains are constantly walking. Their walk is swifter than the wind…

Mountains and Rivers Sutra, Eihei Dogen, 1240

In Arrernte country the mountains are never far away. They stand up crisp and clear in the blue air. Their covering is spare: you can see their bones in the bluffs and tilted layers of sediment. Rocks crack and slip-slide down their slopes, eventually becoming river sand. There is endless movement of air and water, frost and sun, plants and creatures. With a slight shift of vision you might see the quiet substance of the mountains as flowing movement. You might see them striding along, turning in the light, their slopes rippling.

The mountains are alive, they are knowing, and down to the last little hill and gully they summon respect and care.

I extend deep thanks to Arrernte people for the privilege of living and working in this magnificent country.

Jennifer Taylor was born in Aotearoa, and grew up around Tauranga Moana. Her first painting, age 3, was made by dragging a wet house-painting brush across concrete – magic!

She studied painting at ANU, moved to Arrernte country in 1994 and worked with First Nations artists in art centres and educational settings around Mparntwe and the Western Desert. During a Watch This Space artists’ camp at Two-mile in 2009 she began plein air painting, and hasn’t stopped since.

Jenny acknowledges the guidance and deep wisdom of Mrs A. Abbott and Mrs M.K. Turner, and other elders. They led her to questions such as: what is the enduring ‘glistening and beautiness’ that M.K. could see in country, even with so much harm being done? How do you paint country in ways that respect its people? What is painting’s role in holding and connecting to country?