Aboriginal Painting ‘Ngutjul’ by Pantjiya Nungurrayi (1936-)

Pantjiya Nungurrayi was born around 1936, in the desert near Haasts Bluff. Her half-brother is Shorty Lungkata, one of the significant artists involved in the creation of the Aboriginal art movement. Pantjiya recalls her nomadic life and receiving food rations from white people travelling through the desert on camels. She married George Tjangala, and in the 1960s, the family moved to Papunya, where the artistic movement would begin in 1971. Her husband likely painted a few canvases from the early 1970s (some uncertainties arise due to name changes and some individuals having multiple names). He continued painting until his death in 1989. During the final months of his life, Pantjiya likely assisted him in the pointillist technique. However, women only had the opportunity to paint from 1994 onwards in a joint project between artists from Haasts Bluff and those from the Western Desert, when they gained access to painting. Two years later, the cooperative finally provided an opportunity for women. Pantjiya waited until 1997 to paint a few small formats, and after several months, she enthusiastically launched herself into the artistic adventure. She would establish herself as one of the significant artists from the Western Desert.