Tjukurrtjanu TjukurrtjanuTjukurrtjanu: Origins of Western Desert Art

NGV NGVNGV: 150 years Museum VictoriaMuseum Victoria Papanya Tula ArtistsPapanya Tula Artists

  • An NGV Touring Exhibition
  • 30 September 2011 – 12 February 2012
  • The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia,
  • Federation Square, Melbourne
  •  
  • 9 October 2012 – 20 January 2013
  • Musée du quai Branly, Paris

Tjukurrtjanu: Origins of Western Desert Art examines a watershed moment in the history of art when a painting practice emerged at Papunya in Central Australia. Tjukurrtjanu gives prominence to 200 of the first paintings produced at Papunya between 1971 and 1972 and also establishes the vital connection between the works of art and their sources in ephemeral designs made for use in ceremony.

A collaboration between the NGV and Museum Victoria.
In partnership with Papunya Tula Artists Pty Ltd.

This website contains the names, images and works of Indigenous people who have passed away, which may cause distress to some Indigenous people.

Indigenous people from Central Australia and the Western Desert are advised that this exhibition contains culturally sensitive works that may be considered harmful or inappropriate for viewing by women or uninitiated members of their communities. Care has been taken to respect cultural protocols and, following a comprehensive consultation process, these works will be exhibited separately for the duration of the exhibition and will not be illustrated in the exhibition catalogue or displayed on this website.

Please note that some records contain terms and annotations that reflect the period in which the item was recorded, and may be considered inappropriate today in some circumstances.


Painting

  • Ad100940
    Shorty Lungkata Tjungurrayi
    Pintupi c.1920–87
    Men in a Bushfire 1972
    enamel paint on composition board
    64.2 x 50.1 cm
    National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
    Purchased through The Art Foundation of Victoria with the assistance of North Broken Hill Ltd, Fellow, 1987
    (O.55-1987)
    © artists and their estates 2011, licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Limited and Papunya Tula Artists
    More
  • Ad100936
    Anatjari Tjakamarra
    Ngaatjatjarra/Pintupi c.1930–92
    Big Pintupi Dreaming ceremony 1972
    synthetic polymer paint on composition board
    51.5 x 43.3 cm
    National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
    Purchased through The Art Foundation of Victoria with the assistance of North Broken Hill Ltd, Fellow, 1987
    (O.51–1987)
    © artists and their estates 2011, licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Limited and Papunya Tula Artists
    More
  • Ad100933
    Mick Wallangkarri Tjakamarra
    Kukatja/Ngalia c.1905–96
    Old man's Dreaming on death or destiny 1971
    synthetic polymer paint on composition board
    60.9 x 45.7 cm
    National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
    Purchased through The Art Foundation of Victoria with the assistance of North Broken Hill Ltd, Fellow, 1987
    (O.49–1987)
    © artists and their estates 2011, licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Limited and Papunya Tula Artists
    More

Artists

ARTS002098
Freddy West Tjakamarra
Pintupi c.1940-1995
Photo © John Corker
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ARTS002099
John Tjakamarra
Pintupi c.1937-2002
Photo © John Corker
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ARTS002100
Uta Uta Tjangala
Pintupi c.1926-90
Photo © John Corker
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ARTS002101
Walter Tjampitjinpa
Pintupi c.1912-81
Photo © Allan Scott
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ARTS002118
Long Jack Phillipus Tjakamarra
Pintupi/Luritja born c.1932
Photo © Allan Scott
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ARTS002120
Mick Wallangkarri Tjakamarra 1972
Kukatja/Ngalia c.1905-96
Photo © Allan Scott
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Objects

  • EXHI015839
    Unknown
    Wangkangurru active 1920s
    Headdress 1920s
    rabbit fur, fur string
    58.5 x 28.0 x 3.5 cm
    Museum Victoria, Melbourne
    Purchased from George Aiston, 1923 (X29118)
    © Museum Victoria 2011 / Photographer Benjamin Healley
  • EXHI015832
    Unknown
    Bardi active 1920s
    Pearl shell pendant 1920s
    pearl shell, earth pigments, human hair
    58.5 x 13.2 x 2.5 cm
    Museum Victoria, Melbourne
    Purchased from the Cripps Collection, 1984 (X98257)
    © Museum Victoria 2011 / Photographer Benjamin Healley
  • EXHI015831
    Unknown
    Bardi active 1930s
    Pearl shell pendant 1930s
    pearl shell, earth pigments, human hair
    56.0 x 12.0 x 5.0 cm
    Museum Victoria, Melbourne
    Purchased from the Cripps Collection, 1984 (X98248)
    © Museum Victoria 2011 / Photographer Benjamin Healley

Links

© 2011 National Gallery of Victoria

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