Yanatjarri No. III Tjakamarra

Untitled (possibly Wati Kutjarra at Pakarangaranya)

1973

Like many early works from Papunya Tula, the precise subject of this painting by Yanatjarri Tjakamarra is not known. While undertaking fieldwork at Yayayi from 1973 to 1975, Fred Myers documented almost all of Yanatjarri's artistic output. By comparing the forms and spatial organization of this work to other images created during this time, Myers suggests two possible interpretations.

The first is based on a comparison to a similar painting produced by Yanatjarri in October 1974, which was identified as representing a Wati Kutjarra Tjukurrpa (Two Men Dreaming) at a place called Pakarangaranya. The two men put up their maparnpa (healing stones), their ngankari, to block a mamu (devil, demon), because they were frightened, and their ngankari turned to stone, depicted as the scattered ovals across the work.

The second is based on a comparison to another work of Yanatjarri's from 1974, which suggests that the painting could relate to Karrkunya, a red ochre site. In this interpretation, the five arms extending from the central circle from are kutitji (shields), involved in the ceremony in which the blood of young men is turned into red ochre.

Language Groups: Pintupi and Ngaanyatjarra
Dates: 1938-1992

In 1966, Yanatjarri No. III Tjakamarra’s family journeyed from the Gibson Desert to Papunya when they were found by Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) patrols. They were one of the last Pintupi families to relocate to Papunya from their ancestral lands. In his youth, Yanatjarri (his grandson's preferred spelling) worked as a gardener and was an active supporter of Pintupi people building outstations in their homelands. Yanatjarri’s works mainly focus on men's sacred rituals as well as depictions of Tingarri stories such as the Snake Dreaming from Kulkuta, the outstation where he lived. His painting Tingari Cycle Dreaming at Paratjakulti (1989) was acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Yanatjarri was also the first Australian Aboriginal artist to have a solo exhibition in New York, at John Weber Gallery. His second wife, Katarra Butler Napaltjarri, also painted for Papunya Tula Artists.

YANATJARRI No.III TJAKAMARRA, Untitled (possibly Wati Kutjarra at
Pakarangaranya), 1973

Synthetic polymer paint on canvas board.
30 1/8 × 231 5/16 in. (77 × 61 cm).
Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection.
Gift of John W. and Maria T. Kluge, 2008.
2008.0003.015.

Yanatjarri Tjakamarra at Papunya Tula Artist studio, Walungurru (Kintore), 1988.

Photo by Fred Myers.

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