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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

Categories: Warakurna Artists Aboriginal Corporation

Name: Tjunka Lewis (Dec)

Language: Ngaanyatjarra

Biography:

Tjunka Lewis is from Papulankutja/ Blackstone. He is famous not only for his painting but also beautiful wood carving and spear making. He worked for many years in Blackstone and originally painted with Papulankutja Artists and now paints for Warakurna Artists. Tommy Mitchell is his nephew. Tommy will often paint collaboratively with Tjunka. Both men paint stories from their country. Including Wakalpuka and Walu. Tjunka mostly paints a story about the Patjarrtja (native quoll, sometimes referred to as a native cat). Patjarrtja was travelling around. He could walk for a very long way, following the creek country. You can not find the Patjarrtja anymore in the Ngaanyatjarra region as they have become extinct from due to feral cats. Tommy Mitchell says that Tjunka's country Wakalpuka, a rockhole at the base of Mt Fanny on the road from Warakurna to Blackstone is a special place. Tjunka also paints a story about an emu man. He was walking around and making a noise from his throat. It was a funny sound and his throat exploded! The young emu boys were also walking around. Nothing more can be said about this tjukurrpa. This is a really story.

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