Rockholes at Ungarla, 1998 by Dr George Tjapaltjarri, 91x91cm

Rockholes at Ungarla, 1998 by Dr George Tjapaltjarri (91x91cm) – A Sacred Landscape of the Tingari Ancestors

Dr George Tjapaltjarri’s Rockholes at Ungarla(1998) is a compelling visual representation of an ancient and sacred site in the Gibson Desert, Western Australia, the artist’s traditional country. The painting, rich in cultural significance, features yellow and white roundels, symbolizing both the rock hole site of Ungarla —a place where profound Creation Era events unfolded—and ceremonial body designs used in sacred rituals.

At the heart of this story are the Tingari, a group of mythical ancestral beings who traversed vast stretches of the desert, performing powerful rituals, shaping the landscape, and establishing the laws and customs that continue to guide ceremonial life today. Their journey through the desert was not only one of creation but also of teaching, as they passed on sacred knowledge to young initiates.

The Tingari men were often followed by Tingari women, accompanied by novices who learned through song cycles that recount their travels, encounters, and the formation of significant sites. These narratives are integral to post-initiation teachings, embedding ancestral law into the minds of future generations while explaining contemporary customs and traditions.

Through his distinctive style, Dr George Tjapaltjarri transforms these sacred stories into a mesmerizing composition, where layered dot work and circular forms evoke the timeless presence of the Tingari ancestors and the sacred rock holes of Ungarla. His work is more than a painting—it is a living map of cultural memory, law, and connection to Country, ensuring that these powerful Dreaming stories continue to resonate across time.