George Ward Tjungurrayi

George Ward Tjungurrayi

Born:c.1945
Country: Kiwirrkurra
Language group: Pintupi

George Ward Tjungurrayi was born in the area of Kiwirrkurra in the Gibson Desert. George’s father is Yala Yala Gibbs and his brother is Willy Tjungarrayi. George first made contact with Europeans via a welfare patrol lead by Jeremy Long and Nosepeg Tjupurrula at a rockhole site south of Kiwirrkura. After moving to Papunya he worked as a fencer and a butcher in the Papunya kitchen and began painting for Papunya Tula in about 1976.

George’s paintings depict the Tingari Cycle – ancient stories of the Tingari people who travelled the land in mythological times.

George Ward Tjungurrayi won the prestigious Wynne Landscape Prize in 2004 and his work is featured in leading collections both locally and internationally.