Tarnanthi - Balgo Beginnings

Balgo is one of the most famous schools of desert painting. Curiously its founding works went missing in the early 1980s and have never been seen publicly … until now. The paintings were rediscovered in 2019 after four decades in a shipping container, and the South Australian Museum has since worked with the artists and custodians (Warlayirti Artists) to bring the works together at the Museum. They will be displayed during Tarnanthi for the first time, alongside works from the next generation of Balgo artists, which have been created on Country in response to these early works.

Artists

Charlie Gordon Tjupurrula (deceased), Donkeyman Lee Tjupurrula (deceased), Albert Nagomarra Tjakamarra (deceased), Joan (Eva) Nagomarra, Bruce Njamme Tjangala, Garry Njamme Tjangala, Pauline Sunfly Nangala, Fred Tjakamarra (deceased), Sunfly Tjamptijin (deceased), Arthur Tjapanangka (deceased), Alan Winderoo Tjakamarra (deceased) & Christine Yukenbarri Nakamarra
Kukatja people, Western Australia

Larry Lodi Tjupurrula (deceased)
Warlpiri people, Northern Territory

Patsy Mudgedell Nakamarra
Kukatja/Ngardi people, Western Australia

Vincent Nanala Tjapangarti Tjapaltjarri
Kukatja/Pintupi people, Western Australia

Jimmy Tchooga Tjapangarti
Warlpiri/Ngardi people, Western Australia

Helicopter Tjungurrayi
Kukatja/Manyjilyjarra people, Western Australia

Matthew Tjupurrula West
Luritja/Pintupi/Kukatja people, Western Australia/Northern Territory

Special Events

Artists Panel Talks
Sat 16 Oct & Sun 17 Oct, 1–2pm
Auslan interpreted
Book here

Access

Wheelchair accessible, lifts, accessible toilets