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My grandfather, Sultan Mohammed of Kandahar, was one of
the ‘Afghan Cameleers’, who worked on the ‘Overland
Telegraph’ across Central Australia. With his own stud
camels he established a business at Marree, where my
father, Abdul Summit Sultan was born.
My father met and married my mother who was from the
Kaytetye Tribe of the Barrow Creek region, located just
300 km north of Alice Springs. They had 3 sons and 3
daughters.
I was born in Alice Springs, and did my schooling in
Alice Springs, being taught by the nuns at the Catholic
Convent.
I knew I would become an artist when I was young. As a
child, I considered Albert Namatjira my idol, and I
would sit in the Todd Creek with him and his son Oscar
and watch them paint. I was also inspired by my older
brother, Reg Sultan, who was an established artist. Reg
gave me my first watercolour paints and board. Two of my
sisters are also artists. Influenced by the local
Arrernte artists, I was 13 when I did my first painting.
My totem is the Rain-Maker, inherited from my
grandfather on my mother's side. This features in many
of my works, along with symbolism, dreamtime stories and
bush tucker. As well as the traditional ‘dot painting’
style, I also enjoyed doing landscapes, and the more
modern abstract style that has become popular with many
galleries.
My paintings have been brought by tourist from around
the world including Europe, USA and Australia.
My Dreaming include:
Sacred Rain Song
Other works include:
Echunpa — Goanna
My Spiritual Ancestor - Keeper of the Lands
Witchetty Grub
Yurumpi - Honey Ant |
