Click to enlargeJohnny Yungut
- Region
- Western Desert
- Community
- Kiwirrkura
- Language group
- Pintupi
Tjungirri, 1998
synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen
122 x 122 cm
Price on application — enquire
- Provenance
- Papunya Tula Artists, Alice Springs, NT, Cat No. JY980553
Private Collection Vic
Auction: Indigenous Fine Art, June 2020
Private Collection NSW
- Artwork 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.