Walka means design or pattern. Artists use this title to describe artworks that are pattern based rather than descriptive or telling a story.
Name: Derek Jungarrayi Thompson
Language: Pitjantjatjara
Community: Pukatja
Biography:
Derek Jungarrayi Thompson is the maternal grandson of Papunya Tula artist, Makinti Napanangka.
He came to work at Ernabella Arts in 2011 during the first men-only ceramic workshop. His figurative drawing work was already well advanced and he explained that he draws 'all the time at home.'
Derek is also an avid hunter. The translation of his drawings of the Pukatja landscape and animal life onto ceramics is quite unique and received immediate interest from collectors and curators.
In 2012 Derek undertook a residency at the Ceramic Workshop of the Australian National University, where he did pottery and printmaking. For many years his collaborative works with fellow Ernabella artist Ngunytjima Carroll were highly sought after and were selected as finalists in many awards including the NATSIAAs (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards). Ngunytjima threw tall pots onto which Derek applied his designs and drawings using the sgrafitto technique.
Derek and Ernabella artist Tjimpuna Williams were awarded an Australia Council grant in 2013 to undertake a big pot workshop in Jingdezhen, China. This body of large scale works was exhibited at Sabbia Gallery in Sydney and in Canberra as part of the Australian Ceramics Triennale. In 2017 Derek's work was exhibited at Harvey Arts in the USA.
Derek continues to be a key figure and leading artist in the ceramics studio, using clay to create beautifully detailed renditions of Country.
Status: Stock Handmade ceramic tile by Ernabella Artists Size 15 x 15cm Due to the handmade nature, slight size variations may occur
Status: Stock Punu (wood carving) Punu are wood carvings by Anangu (Central and Western Desert Aboriginal people), they are hand carved and decorated with walka, patterns burnt into the wood with heated wire.