September 2025

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Tawal

Tjunka Lewis is from Papulankutja/Blackstone. He is famous for his beautiful wood carving and spear making. He worked for many years in Blackstone and originally painted with Papulankutja Artists until he went to Wanarn. This painting is from Tjunka’s country. Tommy Mitchell says this painting is about Tjunka’s country and a special place called Tawal, not far from Wakalpuka. All the emu boys were sitting down together. The emu boys started running when they heard a whistle. They started running towards Mt Aloysius, that’s a nyii nyii place (finches). One of the boys broke his leg. He must be still there? *Nicotina rosulata (native tobacco) / Tawal-tawal(pa) Used as a narcotic, mixed with ashes and chewed. Very important thirst suppressant which helped people travel great distances without water. Usually grows after summer rains. * Acacia tetragonophylla (Dead finish) / Wakalpuka A type of wattle. Seeds grinded for cakes and the roots are used to make a cough medicine. These bushes have needle like leaves with bright yellow globular flower heads. Ref: Wildflowers and plants of Inland Australia. Author: Anne Urban

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Tingari Men

Ben Holland was born at Kiritjiti. His country is around Kiritjiti and Yanpan, near Mantamaru. This painting depicts the Tingari Men, a group of ancestral elders who – in the Dreaming – travelled over vast areas of the Western Desert, performing rituals and creating or “opening up” the country (Perkins & Fink 2000:278). They were usually accompanied by recently-initiated novices to whom they provided instruction in the ritual and law of the region (Myers 1986:59-64). The adventures of the Tingari groups are enshrined in numerous song-myth cycles which provide explanations for contemporary customs in Western Desert aboriginal life (Perkins & Fink 2000:278; Berndt 1970:222-223; Berndt & Berndt 1996:266-267). Deep knowledge of Tingari business is restricted to men possessing appropriate levels of seniority in Western Desert society, but many stories have “public versions” which do not disclose secret/sacred knowledge.

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Wakalpuka

Tjunka Lewis is from Papulankutja/Blackstone. He is famous for his beautiful wood carving and spear making. He worked for many years in Blackstone and originally painted with Papulankutja Artists until he went to Wanarn. This painting is from Tjunka’s country. Tommy Mitchell says this painting is about Tjunka’s country and a special place called Tawal, not far from Wakalpuka. All the emu boys were sitting down together. The emu boys started running when they heard a whistle. They started running towards Mt Aloysius, that’s a nyii nyii place (finches). One of the boys broke his leg. He must be still there? *Nicotina rosulata (native tobacco) / Tawal-tawal(pa) Used as a narcotic, mixed with ashes and chewed. Very important thirst suppressant which helped people travel great distances without water. Usually grows after summer rains. * Acacia tetragonophylla (Dead finish) / Wakalpuka Type of wattle. Seeds grinded for cakes and the roots are used to make a cough medicine. These bushes have needle like leaves with bright yellow globular flower heads. Ref: Wildflowers and plants of Inland Australia. Author: Anne Urban

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Mantamaru

Rachel Jennings is a Warburton woman. Her sister Eunice Porter lives in Warakurna and she sometimes comes to visit her and paints for Warakurna Artists. Rachel also paints for the Warburton Arts project. This painting is about a special place near Mantamaru. There are several clay pans and when it rains they become really slippery. When Rachel was a little girl she use the visit this place with her friends and play there; sliding around having lots of fun. Children still visit this place after it rains to play. They get mud all over themselves!

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Lake Baker

Neville McArthur is from Warburton and now resides at Wanarn Aged Care. This painting is about a Kunyia that travelled all the way from Kuru Alala to Lake Baker.

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Lapaku

Joyce McLean’s painting depicts country of Lapaku, the rockhole where she was born. Lapaku is an important site nestled along the Rawlinson Ranges – about 50kms west of Warakurna..

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Lake Baker

Neville McArthur was born at Tutana a rockhole in the Spinifex Country South of Warburton. He has lived most of his life in Patjarr and Warburton but now resides in Wanarn. Neville paints tjukurrpa from his homeland in Spinifex Country such as Wilpina (Lake Baker, South-West of Warburton) and Malu Tjukurrpa. He couldn’t tell any details about Wilpina – it’s a strong and sacred Tjukurrpa. Neville has had a long career as an artist working with the Spinifex Arts Project, Warburton Art Project, Kayili Artists and since moving to Wanarn in 2010, working with Warakurna Artists. He is also recognised for his skillfull carving of traditional mens’ weaponry.

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Lapaku

Joyce McLean’s painting depicts country of Lapaku, the rockhole where she was born. Lapaku is an important site nestled along the Rawlinson Ranges – about 50kms west of Warakurna..

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Elaine Papulankutja Dreaming

Elaine is a painter from Papulankutja (Blackstone) who now resides at Wanarn Aged Care. Elaine paints tjukurrpa from her country of Papulankutja, which includes songlines for associated tjukurrpa of Wati Kutjarra and Lirru – carpet python dreaming.

Warakurna Artists works closely with Wanarn Aged Care Facility to conduct painting sessions with elderly patients. This program nurtures artists who have contributed largely to one of the most significant art movements in Australia. The joyous communal activity has a myriad of positive benefits such as reliving boredom and frustration. Health staff report that this diversional therapy helps to reduce patient’s drug intake and the old people rejoice in sharing and passing on their important Tjukurrpa with their families who visit them when the workshops are conducted. Warakurna Artists is a positive and powerful example of Aboriginal businesses managed and governed by artists and community elders ensuring the wealth of talent and economic returns are retained in the community.

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Elaine Papulankutja Dreaming

Elaine is a painter from Papulankutja (Blackstone) who now resides at Wanarn Aged Care. Elaine paints tjukurrpa from her country of Papulankutja, which includes songlines for associated tjukurrpa of Wati Kutjarra and Lirru – carpet python dreaming.

Warakurna Artists works closely with Wanarn Aged Care Facility to conduct painting sessions with elderly patients. This program nurtures artists who have contributed largely to one of the most significant art movements in Australia. The joyous communal activity has a myriad of positive benefits such as reliving boredom and frustration. Health staff report that this diversional therapy helps to reduce patient’s drug intake and the old people rejoice in sharing and passing on their important Tjukurrpa with their families who visit them when the workshops are conducted. Warakurna Artists is a positive and powerful example of Aboriginal businesses managed and governed by artists and community elders ensuring the wealth of talent and economic returns are retained in the community.