George Tjungurrayi Ward

George Ward Tjungurrayi was born near the site of Lararra, east of Tjukurla in Western Australia c. 1955 and is a Pintupi member. His first contact with Europeans was made through one of the welfare patrols led by Jeremy Long and Nosepeg Tjupurrula at a rockhole south of Kiwirrkura. After travelling into Papunya, he worked as both a fencer as well as a butcher in the Papunya kitchen. George’s father was also the father of Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi and Willy Tjungurrayi and although they had different mothers, he considers them very close brothers. He moved to Warakurna some years ago with his wife and family, but now resides at Wanarn Aged Care. George was a senior artist at Papunya Tula Artists and has exhibited widely here in Australia and internationally to much acclaim. His paintings depict the Tingarri Song Cycle which describes the route of the dreamtime people who travelled from the sea near Port Hedland to the northern part of the central desert. Often, George paints a specific section of this journey where men, women and children travelled north through Wirrintjunku, Pukaritjarra, Tarkal, Nyun and Kirritji as they move toward Tjukurla.