About Fred Ward Tjungurrayi

Pintupi artist Fred Ward Tjungurrayi was born at Purkitjarra (east of Kiwirrkurra) in pre-contact times and came with his family into the Warburton community in remote Western Australia in the 1960s. He returned to the newly settled Pintupi community of Kiwirrkurra in 1984 and began painting for Papunya Tula Artists in August 1987. From the outset he tackled large scale canvases, his work being distinctive for its powerful designs and being austerely traditional. His first solo exhibition was held late in 1987 and in 1989 he won the Northern Territory Art Award.