Termite Mounds On Kalkatungu Country

This artwork is a part of Amanda Hinkelmann's exhibition 'A Diary, a Long Drive and a Devon Sandwich'

Original artwork by Amanda Hinkelmann

The termite mounds on Kalkatungu Country were so unbelievably impressive. The thing about them my children loved most, was the humour that the locals had regarding them. We first started spotting them well out of town, in what seemed like the middle of nowhere. However, driving along and approaching closer to civilisation, the termite mounds began to appear wearing people’s clothing. Some were adorned in a simple button up shirt, whilst others took on entire personalities. As we edged closer to Mount Isa, we came up with all sorts of personalities we hoped to see them dressed as. These mounds were one of my first memories of Kalkatungu Country and still one of my fondest. As we drove towards our next destination, I remained impressed with the scale and colour of the dirt mounds, and in the ability of the land to provide for even the smallest of creatures.

Acrylic on canvas