Pija Peter Tinker
Born about 1946
Manyjilyjarra language group, Purungu skin group
Jigalong Community
Martumili Artists
I was born in the desert, near Kunawarritji. I grew up in Marble Bar and went to school there. Later I moved to Jigalong. I worked as a stockmen on Hillside, Balfour Downs Station. My Country is Kunawarritji.
Peter Tinker joined the 2007 return to Country trip at Kilykily, Well 36. As he painted his Country he recalled his childhood in the desert, including the first time he saw airplanes flying overhead.
Kunawarratji to Wajaparni
2007, by Patrick Tjungurrayi, Charlie Wallabi, Richard Yukenbarri, Jeffrey James, Peter Tinker, Helicopter Tjungurrayi, Clifford Brooks, Tom Lawford
acrylic on linen, 125 x 301 cm
National Museum of Australia
This collaborative men’s painting was produced by artists from five art centres. It illuminates the nature of the family relationships, which are grounded in Country.
This was where our people got together as one, along these wells. Our grandfathers too. They was all as one people, don’t matter [that they they’re from] different tribes. They came here, stay for a while, and then go back home.
Patrick Olodoodi (Alatuti) Tjungurrayi, Kilykily (Well 36), 2007
Working under the guidance of the senior men, Jeffrey James and Patrick Tjungurrayi, each artist painted that part of Country with which he has close family ties.
All these waters, from that line to this line, are all our family trees. Where our mob used to go from one waterhole to another, all as one people. This is our family tree, this painting.
Jeffrey James, Kilykily (Well 36), 2007
