Tjungu Palya means "good together" in the local Pitjantjatjara language
In the remote expanse of South Australia's Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands lies Tjungu Palya, an Aboriginal Art Centre that pulses with the creative energy of its artists. Located about 100 kilometers south of Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Nyapari community, Tjungu Palya is set at the base of the majestic Mann Ranges, known to Anangu as Murputja, which resemble the bony ridge of a person’s spine. These ranges are the source of many water holes and traditional camping places, deeply connecting the community to their ancestral lands.
The Art Centre is a vibrant hub where top-tier Australian painters gather daily to work on major exhibitions and private commissions while imparting their knowledge to emerging artists. It is common to see four generations of one family at the Art Centre, painting, singing, and retelling the Tjukurpa. This hive of activity, fun, culture, and creativity underscores the Centre’s importance in the community.
Established in 2006, Tjungu Palya was founded with the vision of cultural preservation and artistic expression, empowering the community through art. Over the years, it has grown into a vital economic and cultural institution for the small remote communities of Nyapari and Kanpi. The income generated from art sales supports local families and funds essential community projects, education, and cultural initiatives.
The artists at Tjungu Palya are known as early innovators with a significant stylistic influence on the wider APY art movement. They are culturally knowledgeable and deeply connected to their country, making regular visits to dreaming sites and homelands to conduct maintenance, collect bush foods or materials, and to camp. Facilitating these trips ensures that cultural practices are maintained and passed on, strengthening the intergenerational transfer of knowledge.
Tjungu Palya has developed a reputation for producing large-scale works that travel around Australia and internationally, being exhibited and collected by major institutions and private collections. Works from Tjungu Palya’s top artists are held by major Australian institutions, including the Art Gallery of South Australia, The Australian National Gallery, The Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the National Gallery of Victoria, as well as significant private collections both nationally and internationally.
The Art Centre provides a framework for supporting this intergenerational transfer of knowledge and has recently undertaken commissions to produce large collaborative family paintings. One notable commission for the Department for Environment and Heritage South Australia by the Watarru artists now hangs in Parliament House, Adelaide, marking a significant milestone in the recognition of Aboriginal Art.
Through their art, the artists of Tjungu Palya share their stories, heritage, and vision with the world. Each artwork is a living testament to their resilience, creativity, and profound connection to their culture and land. Through their art, they bridge the gap between tradition and contemporary expression, enriching the broader narrative of Aboriginal Art and leaving an indelible mark on the artistic landscape. Aboriginal Art from Tjungu Palya is not just art; it is a vibrant expression of cultural identity, a dialogue between past and present, and a source of inspiration for future generations.