Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula

Kalipinypa

1972

This work along with Water Dreaming at Kalipinypa (1972), was created in August 1972 at a moment of intense innovation at Papunya. Geoffrey Bardon abruptly left Papunya after suffering from exhaustion and mental health issues, leaving the men to persevere without his intervention. It was at this moment that Warangkula created his most iconic series of works: Water Dreamings, inspired by the heavy rains flooding Papunya at the time. Using sinuous strokes and shimmering dotting, Warangkula captured the presence of abundant plant life following desert rains. Look closer beneath the elaborate over-painting, and you will see the ghost-like presence of ceremonial objects. Their ancestral power ensures the land’s annual rejuvenation.

It’s like this, my father told me, “when I am gone, you have to carry on. You are going to paint Kalipinypa and Ilpili."

NARLIE NELSON NAKAMARRA

Language Group: Pintupi
Dates: 1918-2001

Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula was born at Mintjilpirri southwest of the Ehrenberg Range. Johnny Warangkula began painting at the start of the painting movement in 1971 and quickly developed a unique style distinguished by prolific dotting. Dots have always played an important part in desert painting, but more than any other artist, Johnny cemented the “dot” as a defining feature of Aboriginal art. His artwork reached international recognition and helped chart a path for Aboriginal Australian art’s introduction into the international art market. He continued to paint until he was slowed down by failing eyesight in the mid-1980s. he was slowed down by failing eyesight in the mid-1980s.

JOHNNY WARANGKULA TJUPURRULA, Kalipinya, 1972

Synthetic polymer paint on composition board. Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia, Gift of John W. Kluge, 1997. 1993.0006.009.

Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula painting at Papunya, 1972.

Photo by Allan Scott.

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