This painting depicts the artist’s birthplace, Tjikari, approximately
500km north west of Alice Springs, close to the Western Australian border.
It is the story about two old Pungkalunka men who fight. The Tjampitjinpa one,
who is the artist’s uncle, is on fire. The artist described him as being
mad or rama and he is also the boss. The other old man, the Tjakamarra one,
is the artist’s father. The boomerang or kali is one of the weapons used
in the fighting and the tracks or tjina are depicted. The red colour indicates
fire or waru. The Pungkalunka men are now sleeping in a cave at Tjikari. The
story is part of the Tingari cycle and involves the Ngananyana men.
PROVENANCE
The Kevin McAuley Collection.
Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula was born at Minjirrpirri, to the north-west of
Ilpilli and south of Lake Mackay in Kangaroo Dreaming country. He commenced
painting in 1971 and in June 1998 and then again in 2000, his painting Water
Dreaming at Kalipiypa set a world record for Aboriginal work of art at auction.
REPRESENTED
National Gallery of Australia
National Gallery of Victoria
Art Gallery of Western Australia
Queensland Art Gallery
National Museum of Australia
Robert Holmes à Court Collection
