IRRIṮITJA KUWARRI TJUNGU
Contemporary Aboriginal Painting from the Australian Desert
July 18 - December 6, 2025
In 1971, the world was introduced to an art movement that was both new and old. In the settlement of Papunya in the Australian Desert, Aboriginal artists from communities across the Western Desert drew upon Indigenous mark-making traditions to create artworks in new media. Over the next 50 years, the Papunya Tula Artists became a global phenomenon that took the world by storm.
In Irrititja Kuwarri Tjungu, presented in partnership with Papunya Tula Artists and organized by the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia, you will witness five decades of artworks that bring "past and present together" in an stunning array of color and memory. The exhibition will be on display here at the BYU Museum of Art from July 18 to December 6, 2025.
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MICK NAMARARI TJAPALTJARRI, 'Mitukatjirri', 1971–72, Synthetic polymer paint on composition board. 25 ¼ × 18 ¼ in. (64 × 46 cm), Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia. Gift of John W. Kluge, 1997, 1991.0021.021, © the artist’s estate and licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd. Photograph by Neil Greentree
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JOHNNY WARANGKULA TJUPURRULA, 'Kalipinypa,' 1972 Synthetic polymer paint on composition board. 31 ½ × 19 in. (80 × 48.3 cm) Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia. Gift of John W. Kluge, 1997, 1993.0006.009. © the artist’s estate and licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd. Photograph by Neil Greentree
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UTA UTA TJANGALA, 'Tjitji Kutjarra' ('Two Boys at Yawarankunya'), 1971, Synthetic polymer paint on composition board. 253/16 × 193/16 in. (64 × 49 cm), Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia. Gift of John W. and Maria T. Kluge, 2008, 2008.0003.010. © the artist’s estate and licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd. Photograph by Tom Cogill.
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KAAPA TJAMPITJINPA, 'Dreaming at Mikantji', 1975, Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 68 7/8 × 80 5/16 in. (175 × 204 cm), The Embassy of Australia, Washington, D.C. © the artist’s estate and licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd. Photograph by Laura Nix.
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SHORTY LUNGKARTA TJUNGURRAYI, 'Rumiya Tjukurrpa' ('Goanna Dreaming at Wantarritja'), 1980, Synthetic polymer paint on composition board, 24 × 26 in. (60.8 × 65.9 cm), Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection. Gift of Maria Tussi Kluge, 2012. 2012.0003.001. © the artist’s estate and licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd. Photograph by Neil Greentree.
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MICHAEL JAGAMARA NELSON, 'Four Stories at Pikilyi,' 1988. Synthetic polymer paint on canvas. 47 ½ × 71 ½ in. (120.6 × 181.6 cm). Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia. Gift of John W. Kluge, 1997. 1989.7011.005. © the artist’s estate and licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd. Photograph by Tom Cogill.
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INYUWA NAMPITJINPA, 'Travels of Kutungu from Papunnga to Muruntji', 1999. Synthetic polymer paint on canvas. 60 × 48 in. (153 × 122 cm). Collection of Richard Klingler and Jane Slatter. © the artist’s estate and licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd.
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NINGURA NAPURRULA, 'Wirrulnga', 2001. Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 48 × 48 in. (122 × 122 cm). Collection of Richard Klingler and Jane Slatter. © the artist’s estate and licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd.
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NAATA NUNGURRAYI, 'Karilywarra', 2010. Synthetic polymer paint on canvas. 48 × 53 ½ in. (122 × 136 cm). Collection of Steve Martin and Anne Stringfield. © the artist’s estate and licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd. Photograph courtesy Gagosian
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WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI, 'Maruwa', 2013. Synthetic polymer paint on canvas. 60 × 72 in. (153 × 182 cm). Collection of Steve Martin and Anne Stringfield. © Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri and licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd. Photograph courtesy Gagosian
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