Tommy Watson

Born

c. 1935

Community

Irrunytju Arts

Language Groups

Pitjantjatjara

• Artworks

Anamarapiti

Tommy Watson

Awilyulu

Tommy Watson

Tommy Watson was born at Anamarapiti, a homeland 44 kilometres west of the present-day community of Irrunytju. He travelled in the bush with his parents and learnt about hunting and gained respect for his country from his father.

In 2001 Tommy Watson and other senior Ngaatjatjarra and Pitjantjatjara men followed the example of the women at Irrunytju and began to paint on canvas.

Watson said: "I want to paint these stories so that others can learn and understand about our culture and country".

His work was first exhibited at Aboriginal and Pacific Art, Sydney in 2002 and was featured in the RAKA AWARD: Places that name us, The Potter Museum of Art, 2003.