Walungurru, 2014, Pepai Jangala Carroll
Acrylic on linen, 100cm x 150cm
Provenance: Salon des Refusés, Darwin.
Pepai Jangala Carroll was based for a long time in Pukatja in northern South Australia, and has been committed to his custodial responsibilities of his country. His works combine his knowledge of country with his intricate yet minimalist style. In 2009, Pepai began to paint at the art centre, and in 2011 he started making ceramics. His distinct style in depicting his father’s country has seen his work selected as a finalist in the Indigenous Ceramics Art Award (2014). Pepai’s ceramics and paintings have been acquired by the Parliament House collection in Canberra, National Gallery of Victoria, the Art Gallery of South Australia, the Araluen Collection and ArtBank (1).
Artist Statement
‘I paint my father’s country, Ilpili, west of Mt Liebig, east of Kintore. A site besides the road heading towards Kintore. There are huge sandhills and two claypans.
There is a creek, Wanampi tjara, guarded by a rainbow serpent. The Wanampi is chasing a trouble maker, cutting a track through the sandhills. The Wanampi is looking for that man. he did the wrong thing and he is running into sand hill country. The Wanampi made that road and he brought the water with him. There was no water here before, but it is still there now. Little bit to the east are the Kungka Kutjara, the Two Women Tjukurpa. They are sitting and talking. Wait Nyiru, the man, is a big rock on the hill looking down at them. The women were cleaning out the soak, digging to find water. They made the rock hole there.’