George Tuckerbox
Born about 1950’s
Wangkajunga, Kukatja language groups, Japangarti skin group
Wangkatjungka Community
Ngurra Artists
Tuckerbox is the brother of Wimmitji Tjapangarti. He was born near Kiwirrkurra and travelled to Paruku before settling at Christmas Creek Station. He worked as a drover and spent time in the Northern Territory shooting buffalo until Cyclone Tracy hit in 1974. His sister who was living in Darwin was killed. Tuckerbox now lives in Wangkatjungka with his wife Mayapu Elsie Thomas and is a skilled carver.
Ngurti (coolamon)
2007, by George Tuckerbox
wood, 19x73x25 cm
Ngurra Artists
National Museum of Australia
In the desert, piti and ngurti, vessels made of wood, were among a woman’s most important possessions. Deep bowls were used for carrying water, food, and for soaking medicinal plants. Flatter dishes were used for separating seed, and larger vessels were used as cradles for newborn babies. Smaller coolamons could also be used as tools for digging ovens, soaks and wells, and for clearing campgrounds.
