JOHNNY YUNGUT TJUPURRULA - TINGARI

JOHNNY YUNGUT TJUPURRULA
TINGARI,  2011
87 x 28 cm
synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen
 
REGION
Papunya Western Desert, NT
 
PROVENANCE
Papunya Tula Artists, NT Cat No. JY1112012
Private Collection, Canada
Cooee Art Leven, Sydney NSW
 
STORY
Johnny Yungut was born in country north-east of Kiwirrkurra. At the time of his death he was the last surviving man of his generation. He began painting for Papunya Tula Artists in 1978 but moved away from Papunya and only resumed painting in 1991.
 
This painting depicts designs associated with the soakage water site of Tjungamunta, situated in an area of stony hills and abundant rocks north-east of the Kiwirrkura community. In mythological times, a large group of Tingari Men travelled from the south-west, passing through Kiwirrkura and Tjungamunta and then continuing further to the north-east.
 
The Tingari travelled over vast stretches of the country at the dawn of time, performing rituals and creating and shaping particular sites. This beautiful work is characterised by the soft palette of muted white, yellow, pink, and purple, painstakingly applied by meticulous brush work.