Wangkartu
Etching
30 x 30 cm
Signed and numbered 15/30
Framed
Exhibited: Northern Editions - 19 years of indigenous fine art prints, Bridget McDonnell Gallery, Hampton, 2012
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Northern Editions
Helicopter has painted some of his country south of Balgo, in the Great Sandy Desert. This country is named Wangkartu after the tjurrnu (soakwater) featured in the centre of the painting. Wangkartu is an inta (living water) so always contains drinking water. The parallel lines in the painting represent the tali (sandhills) that dominate the country. This is the country where Helicopter was born.
Helicopter Joe Tjungarrayi (Tjungarayi) was born in 1947 at a Ninmi in the Great Sandy Desert. Like many Balgo artists, his language group is Kukatja. From a young age, Helicopter learnt about survival and spiritual aspects of his country. He is a noted 'maparn' (traditonal healer) and many people travel vast distances for his healing counsel. During the mission days when he worked odd jobs as a labourer, Helicopter travelled widely throughout the region. The name 'helicopter' was given after an accident in the '60s which necessitated his transport to hospital in a flying doctor helicopter, the first seen in the area.
In the early '90s, Helicopter painted alongside his wife, the late Lucy Yukenbarri, but since 1995 he has forged his own painting career, achieving his first solo exhibition in '99 at Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne. He has participated in numerous Balgo group shows and is represented in collections at the Art Gallery of NSW, the Laverty Collection, National Gallery of Victoria and Gantner Myer Collection. He is one of Balgo's leading male artists, with a strong national and international following for his paintings and prints.
Item #3174
Price: $900.00