






This painting depicts a large claypan site called Murmur. After periods of extended rain and flooding, it becomes a large shallow lake. In the Tjukurrpa, a large group of ancestral men known as the Tingarri ancestors traveled through this place after passing by a rockhole called Tarkul. Then they continued their journey north of Kintore.
This kind of painting was taught to us by the old men in the early days and now maybe I might teach my grandsons to paint like this. Then he will be able to carry the responsibility of the culture. This is essential. These cultural practices are fundamental to remember and to paint and to reinforce.
Language Group: Pintupi
Date: Born c. 1961
Matthew Tjapangati was born in 1961 at Papunya. He is the eldest son of Pinta Pinta Tjapanangka and older brother to Nyilyari Tjapangati. Matthew currently lives in Kintore and consulted on the Irrititja Kuwarri Tjungu exhibition at the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection.

MATTHEW TJAPANGATI, Tingarri Men at Murmur, 2017
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas. 24 × 21 5/8 in. (61 × 55 cm). Commissioned by Richard Klingler and Jane Slatter for Irriṯitja Kuwarri Tjungu | Past and Present Together.
© estates of the artists licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd for Papunya Tula Artists Pty Ltd

Matthew Tjapangati at Papunya Tula Artists, Mparntwe (Alice Springs).
Photo by Paul Sweeney.
Matthew Tjapangati discusses his work and his country.