George Ward

George Ward Tjungurrayi, a Western Desert artist, left an indelible mark on the contemporary Indigenous Australian art scene. Represented in major national collections such as the National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of NSW, Supreme Court of Northern Territory, Musée des Arts d’Afrique et d’Océanie in Paris, and Groninger Museum in the Netherlands, his works resonate globally.

Born into the desert landscape, George Ward Tjungurrayi observed the artistic endeavors of his brothers, Yala Yala and Willy Tjungurrayi, both esteemed artists of Papunya Tula in Walungurru. It was in 1984 that George ventured into canvas painting, producing a series of elegantly classical concentric roundel works. After the passing of his brother Yala Yala in 1998, the responsibility to paint fell upon George's shoulders, marking the beginning of a significant phase in his artistic career.

Deeply immersed in the world of law and being a senior desert man, George Ward Tjungurrayi began to paint in earnest, developing a distinct style characterized by somber tones and profound intellect. His canvases, unlike anything seen before in the desert art movement, were cerebral and carried a unique gravitas. The subject matter often revolved around the significant lake site of Kaakuratintja (Lake MacDonald), a place traversed by a group of Tingari men in their eastward journey.

George's meticulous geometric drawings were complemented by rapid, shaking dotting techniques, creating a shimmering surface that added depth to his artworks. In 2004, his exceptional talent was recognized when he won the prestigious Wynne Prize for landscape painting at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Despite his reticent and silent demeanor, George Ward Tjungurrayi became one of the nation's most admired and keenly collected artists. His discomfort in English and unease in bustling towns like Alice Springs were indicative of his proud identity as a bush man. Commencing his painting career at Kintore around 1990, it was the passing of his older brother Yala Yala Gibbs in 1998 that led to George assuming the full weight of cultural and ceremonial authority. The transfer of authority marked a shift in George's artistic expression, with his paintings becoming more sophisticated and distinctive.

His larger paintings often depicted the Tingari or Dreaming stories from his ancestral country west of Kintore, adjacent to Lake MacDonald. These stories recounted the epic travels of the Creation Ancestors, shaping the land and its life forms. Having lived close to his land before encountering white settlers, George Ward Tjungurrayi's art reflected a deep connection to his roots.

George's legacy endures not only through the numerous galleries he exhibited in but also in the profound cultural narratives he conveyed through his art. The recognition of his artistic brilliance with the Wynne Prize solidified his place among the distinguished artists of the Western Desert, capturing the essence of his ancestral stories with sophistication and power.

Discover contemporary artworks by George Ward, browse recent artworks and buy online. Categories: contemporary australian artists. Artistic domains: Painting. Artist represented by Australian Contemporary Art. Account type: Artist , member since 2020 (Country of origin Australia). Buy George Ward's latest works on Artmajeur: Discover great art by contemporary artist George Ward. Browse artworks, buy original art or high end prints.

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