Ant Hills | SP-2072

DOB: c. 1972

Birthplace: Tennant Creek NT

Skin name: Tyalmuty

Language: Batjamal

Community: Balgul NT



Helen McCarthy Tyalmuty creates multi layered canvases that can sing with colour and complex structures, or can be very restrained, sombre and occasionally foreboding.

Helen McCarthy was born in Tennant Creek, growing up in Nauiyu Namiyu (Daly River) and Darwin, then educated in Queensland and Victoria. Her paintings express the stories of the traditional ways of life at Daly River, life by the sea, kinship ties, land management, rituals and ceremonies.

Helen McCarthy has worked as a teacher in remote schools while continuing to develop her art and her career. In 1993 she participated in her first art festival and in 2006 held her first solo exhibition. In 2007 Helen was selected in the 24th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award with her painting of Grandpa Harry’s Canoe and was awarded the People’s Choice Award for her work.

Helen McCarthy has exhibited steadily since 2006 and her works have regularly been hung at Japingka Gallery, including her solo exhibition in 2010.

Helen continually returns to her childhood home, Bulgul situated on the coast between Darwin and the Daly River, to return to her roots and country. She has a relentless passion to learn all she can about culture and country from her elders. Helen’s connection to country and culture combined with her non-indigenous education are the foundations she uses to express her ideas and experiences in her own unique manner. This capacity to give contemporary interpretations to their ancient Dreaming stories makes her a distinct voice in the contemporary art scene today.

Helen held her first solo exhibition in 2006 and received the People’s Choice Award at the 2007 Telstra Art Awards in Darwin NT.