Born: 1927 Yarrungkanyi, Western Desert
Community: Papunya
Languages: Anmatyerre, Warlpiri
Died: 2002

Dreamings: Ngatijirri,(Budgerigar), Carpet Snake, Bush Tucker, Mukaki, Yawalyurra, (Bush Grapes), Wapiti, (Sweet Potato), Malyippi, (Sweet Potato), Goanna, Possum, Yala, (Bush Potato), Wallaby, Witchetty Grub, Caterpillar

Paddy Carroll Tjungurrayi (also cited as Tjungarayi, Tjungerrayi, Tjungarrayi, Jungarai) first visited Brisbane in the late 1980s during the time that Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) was developing the exhibition Balance 1990 curated by Michael Eather and Marlene Hall. Michael introduced Paddy to many local Aboriginal artists. Paddy was curious as to the variety of styles and techniques used by the artists in the city. When asked his opinion on one particular dotted work, which looked a little like Central Desert art, Paddy commented ‘good colour...no story!” When it was explained to the artist that Aboriginal people in many areas of Australia had lost their land and language, and with it, many of the stories due to the colonisation process, Paddy was truly moved. He was only a small boy when his father was killed at the Coniston Massacre in 1928. The artist then immediately suggested that if people here wanted to paint “proper stories”, he could arrange a number of senior men from Papunya to come to Brisbane and share and teach some stories to those who may have lost their own! This seemed a truly magnanimous gesture from someone still coming to grips with Australia’s vast history and geography. The Powerful Medicine I (The Men) and II (The Women) projects eventuated in 1998 and 1999, respectively.

In 1989 Michael travelled with artist Marshall Bell to Papunya and visited Paddy’s country at Mt Wedge to continue “cultural exchange” discussions begun earlier in Brisbane. It was also then that Michael and Marshall both met Michael Nelson Jagamara. (On this trip, one of Michael Nelson’s paintings was purchased for Balance 1990 and the QAG collection).

Paddy returned to Brisbane four times in the forthcoming years. In 1996, he completed artworks at FireWorks Gallery in Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, for the second Asia Pacific Triennial (APT) at QAG for Campfire Group’s All Stock Must Go! Soon after he became instrumental in the Powerful Medicine projects when a Papunya / Brisbane art and cultural exchange took place at King George Square in 1998. In 1999, the Brisbane City Gallery purchased the Powerful Medicine collection (with the Mater Hospital purchasing a selection). Several of the Brisbane artists, including Laurie Nilsen, involved in Powerful Medicine, some of whom later also became members of the Campfire Group, still today remember Paddy’s warmth and good humour.

In April 2002, Paddy (along with Michael Nelson) completed a five-day workshop of new paintings at FireWorks Gallery in Stratton Street, Newstead. Whilst there, he was a guest at the Lines II exhibition. Paddy had long been interested in developing some experimental styles with the brush but his energy levels were limited whilst he was completing nine new works on paper and linen. The artist left four of the large linens unfinished with just pencil sketches of new designs; these were to be completed on his next visit six weeks later. Sadly, Paddy died during this time; it was then decided that Campfire Group Artist’s would ‘complete’ his canvases as a tribute to a unique Australian artist. Permission for this was gained from his family via messages passed through Michael Nelson at the Papunya Council. In relation to these collaborative works, FireWorks Director Michael Eather commented: “Symbols including Tjungurrayi’s Men’s Muliera initiation design, and Goanna Dreaming design were elaborated with form and colour to leave the artists’ designs strong and vital in the way he would have wanted it.”

View 2020 Paddy Carroll Tjungurrayi Tribute Collection exhibition list and video here