In 1972, a small group of Aboriginal men in Papunya, located in Australia’s Central Desert, founded Papunya Tula Artists Pty Ltd., the first Aboriginal-owned arts enterprise in the country. Their innovative explorations of color, line, form and space have since earned them global recognition and acclaim. Celebrating five decades of the Papunya Tula Artists, NYU’s Grey Art Museum is showcasing close to 120 paintings by Indigenous Australian artists until this Saturday, April 11.
Featured above is “Karilywarra,” rendered with synthetic polymer paint on canvas in 2010, by the late Naata Nungurrayi, a leading woman in the Western Desert Art Movement. After years of contributing to men’s artworks, she began painting in her own alluringly distinctive style in the mid 1990’s. Several more images of artworks featured in this significant and stunning exhibition follow:
The late, hugely acclaimed Indigenous painter Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri, “Mitukatjirri,” 1971–72, Synthetic polymer paint on composition board
The late senior Papunya painter Long Jack Phillipus Tjakamarra, “Massacre and Vengeance,” 1973, Synthetic polymer paint on composition board
Papunya Tula artist Bobby West Tjupurrula, known for his distinctly mesmerizing signature style–“Wilkinkarra,” 2013, Synthetic polymer paint on canvas
The late Papunya Tula Anmatyer painter Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri, “The Honey Ant Story,” 1972, Synthetic polymer/powder paint on composition board
The late influential Papunya artist Simon Tjakamarra, “Tingarri Camp at Pilintjinya,” 1988, Synthetic polymer paint on canvas
The late Papunya Tula artist Shorty Lungkarta Tjungurrayi, “Classic Pintupi Water Dreaming,” c. 1972, Synthetic polymer/powder paint on composition board
Located at 18 Cooper Square, between E 5th Street and St Marks Place, the Grey Art Museum is open: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 11 am–6 pm; Wednesday: 11 am–8 pm, and Satuday: 11 am–5 pm. Irriṯitja Kuwarri Tjungu: Contemporary Aboriginal Painting from the Australian Desert remains on view until April 11.
Photos of artworks: Tara Murray
