WANGKARDU, 2003
HELICOPTER TJUNGURRAYI
synthetic polymer paint on linen
150.0 x 75.0 cm
inscribed verso: artist's name, size and Warlayirti Artists cat. 739/03
Warlayirti Artists, Balgo Hills
Collection of Paul and Sandra Ferman, Sydney
This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Warlayirti Artists which states: 'Helicopter has painted some of his traditional country, which is located far to the south west of Balgo, in the Great Sandy Desert. This country is known as Wangkardu, named for the tjurrnu, or soak water, featured in the centre of the painting. It is also the country of Helicopter's father. It was in this country that Helicopter was born, and travelled and hunted as a young man with his family. The majority of the painting represents the tali, or sand dunes, which dominate the landscape of the area. In the centre is the inta, or living water, at Wangkardu, around which people from many families would camp.'