About this artwork
This painting depicts designs associated with the site of Kaakuratintja (Lake McDonald). In mythological times a Tingari Man visited this site before travelling west to Patantja. As he travelled he carried two kuniya (pythons) with him. One large venemous snake also journeyed west from Lake
MacDonald.
Since events associated with the Tingari Cycle are of a secret nature, no further detail was given.
Generally, the Tingari are a group of mythical characters of the Dreaming who travelled over vast stretches of the country, performing rituals and creating and shaping particular sites.
The Tingari Men were usually followed by Tingari Women and accompanied by novices and their travels and adventures are enshrined in a number of song cycles. These mythologies form part of the teachings of the post initiatory youths today as well as providing explanations for contemporary customs.
This painting has been beautifully box-framed, as shown.
About George Ward Tjungurrayi
George was born near the site of Lararra, east of Tjukurla in Western Australia c. 1955. His first contact with Europeans was made through one of the welfare patrols led by Jeremy Long and Nosepeg Tjupurrula at a rockhole south of Kiwirrkura. After travelling in to Papunya he worked both as a fencer and as a butcher in the Papunya kitchen. George's father was also the father of Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi and Willy Tjungurrayi and although they had different mothers he considers them very close brothers. George is a senior artist at Papunya Tula Artists. He and his wife live with family in Warakurna and periodically paint for Warakurna Artists. George has exhibited widely nationally and internationally.