Joseph Zimran, Waru - Bushfire Dreaming, 180x80cm

• Aboriginal Artist - Joseph Zimran
• Community - Haasts Bluff
• Aboriginal Art Centre - Ikuntji Artists Aboriginal Corporation
• Catalogue number - 19-JZ47
• Materials - Acrylic on linen
• Size(cm) - H80 W180 D2  
• Postage variants - Artwork posted un-stretched and rolled for safe shipping
• Orientation - Painted from all sides and OK to hang as wished

This painting depicts the Bushfire Dreaming, which was passed down to the artist from his uncle, Ronnie Tjampitjinpa. Together with Ronnie, Joseph is the only other person who paints this Bushfire Dreaming. The painting is about the Walungurru (Kintore) area. It is about three massive bushfires travelling parallel with each other cutting through the landscape, leaving giant scars as they burn through the tinder-dry scrub spread across the sand dunes.

Joseph is the second son of Molly Napaltjarri Jugadai and the grandson of Narputta Nangala Jugadai. His late Father, Smithy Zimran Tjampitjinpa, the brother of renowned artist Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, was a prominent member of the Hassts Bluff community with close ties to Kintore. Smithy was a key figure during the period when Papunya Tula Artists arranged for a dialysis unit to be set up at Kintore so that people could stay on community rather than move to Alice Springs away from country. Joseph paints the story of the ‘Tingari Cycle’ and ‘Waru’ (Bushfire) tjukurrpa (dreaming). He is also the keyboardist for the local Tjintu Desert Band, formerly Sunshine Reggae Band. He is one of a group of several young Ikuntji male artists who began painting in early 2008.