Warlayirti Artists

Helicopter Joey Tjungurrayi is well recognised as one of Warlayirti Artists’ leading artists and is a great ambassador for the Art Centre, painting with Warlayirti Artists since the early ‘nineties. Born at Nynmi, west of Kiwirrkurra in Western Australia, Helicopter was brought up in a traditional nomadic lifestyle, learning from childhood the location of water sources and how to hunt for bush food. The time spent moving through country as a young boy has had a profound and lasting effect on Helicopter’s artistic process and practice.

Pauline paints her parents’ Country. Her mother, Bai Bai Napangarti (c.1935–2020), a law woman and senior Elder of the Balgo community, is a Ngardi woman whose Country extends from Mangkayi in the Stansmore Ranges to just south of Yagga Yagga. Her late father, Sunfly Tjampitjin (c.1920–1996), was an important Kukatja law man who was born further south, at Murrunpa (the Alec Ross Range) near Wilkinkarra (Lake Mackay). Pauline was born at the old Balgo Mission and was educated through the mission school. She recalls working in the kitchen, the laundry and clearing the grounds of the mission. She has spent some time in Fitzroy Crossing and has visited Broome and Alice Springs, but otherwise has remained in Balgo with her ever growing family. Pauline was introduced to painting by her mother at an early age, and has been a finalist for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) and the Kate Challis Raka Art Award, she has had two solo exhibitions including a showcase in the 2019 Tarnanthi Art Fair at the Art Gallery of South Australia. Pauline’s work is found in significant national and international collections.

Imelda walked into the Old Balgo Mission with her mother, and accomplished painter, Lucy Yukenbarri (c.1934-2003), as a small child and lived for a few years in the dormitories at the Mission. She was looked after by the nuns and has fond memories of this time. She attended the government school at Wirrimanu (Balgo) until 1969. She then lived for a short time in Beagle Bay where she met her husband. They started a family there and after her second child they moved back to Balgo and had two more children. She spent a lot of time with her mother, Lucy, who would explain the importance of passing on the stories they were painting to the children of the family. When Imelda’s husband passed away she lived in Mulan for a short time and then moved back to Balgo, where she lives now. Today she looks after her step-father and renowned artist Helicopter Tjungurrayi. Imelda is proud to carry on the legacy of the painting style and stories of her mother. As well as painting in the Art Centre every day, Imelda is an active member of the community and has served on the Warlayirti Board of Directors for many years and has travelled extensively with her art.

Jimmy and Angie Tchooga are a strong team. They have been married since 1972 and have five sons, one daughter and many many grandchildren. They have recently started painting collaboratively after they worked for a long time as solo artists. Jimmy creates bold lines and Angie complements his work with fine dotting. Together they make strong painting. Jimmy Tchooga is a prominent artist, a senior law man and lead singer for ceremony. Painting with strong hues, his dot work is both intentional and specific. Jimmy’s country is Tjukakarrinyu, east of Balgo in the Tanami Desert: primarily his paintings depict his Tjukurrpa, specifically his father’s creation story. Angie is a reliable and active member of the community of Balgo. She was born at Sturt Creek Station where she was raised by elders of the Tjaru people. She attended school at the Old Balgo Mission. When she completed her schooling Angie returned to Sturt Creek to work as a domestic. She has fond memories of taking the children out on bush trips during this period. Angie met her husband Jimmy on the station and they travelled to Balgo to marry. Jimmy and Angie would often migrate between Sturt Creek and Balgo until one son fell ill and they moved permanently to Balgo to be close to the clinic. Angie started painting in 1988 and her themes include waterlilies and the Tjurrkupa snake. She has travelled to Perth and Melbourne. Angie has lived in Balgo for about 20 years and misses the country of Sturt Creek, however she is still able to visit her country for hunting and fishing. Jimmy and Angie Tchooga often work collaboratively on paintings as with other things in their life. They paint at art centre most days, Jimmy is the current chairperson of Warlayirti Artists and Angie is an active member of the board.