George Ward Tjungurrayi
George Ward Tjungurrayi was born in the late 1940s near Lararra, east of Tjukurla in Western Australia. George or Wakanintja by his indigenous name is married to Nyungawarra Ward Napurrula and is the father of the exciting new talent, Gracie Ward Napaltjarri. George is half brother to other famous artists, Willy Tjungurrayi and Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi (now deceased). George maintains a close relationship with Yala Yala's youngest wife Ningura Napurrula, herself one of our most noted indigenous artists.
After having met a welfare patrol in 1963, George moved into Papunya where he undertook various jobs in the community.
George started painted in 1984. His paintings explore the Tingari cycle and stories associated with a sacred site near Lake MacDonald, a dreaming he is custodian of and which is also painted by Willy Tjungarrayi. In 2004, George Ward Tjungurrayi was honoured to receive the Wynne Prize, the prize awarded each year at the same time as the Archibald for the best Australian landscape painting.
George now spends his time with his family between Warakurna and Alice Springs.
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