- Title: Wangkartu-Tali 13/25
- Artist: Helicopter Joe Tjungurrayi
- Region: Kimberley
- Art Centre: Warlayirti Artists
- Medium: Woodblock print
- Collection:
- Dimensions: 50 x 40 cm
- Edition Size: 20
- Price ($AUD): $ 935
Artwork Story
Helicopter has painted some of his country located far to the south of Balgo. This is the country in which Helicopter was born and where he spent his formative years. The central circles of the painting are a number of water sources. These tjurrnu (soakwater) are places Helicopter would visit as a young man. The majority of the painting depicts the tali (sand hills) that dominate this country.
Warlayirti Artists are well known for their beautiful, high quality artworks including limited edition prints. Since 2002, there has been a long-standing collaboration between the Balgo artists and the printers from Northern Editions in Darwin. This partnership has resulted in numerous editions of etchings and screenprints and in more recent times has expanded to include Japanese woodblock printing for the men.
The woodcuts are in response to an existing but not regularly practised carving tradition upon sandstone and soapstone, as well as wood for boomerangs, shields and spears. These prints retell traditional tjukurrpas (Dreamings) and knowledge in an alternative medium, so important stories are retained for perpetuity.
© Warlayirti Artists