Rocky Outcrops at Ungarla, 2002 (triptych) by Dr George Tjapaltjarri

Rocky Outcrops at Ungarla, 2002 (Triptych) by Dr. George Tjapaltjarri

This striking triptych, consisting of three individual paintings measuring 41 x 41 cm each, presents a powerful contemporary depiction of a highly significant Dreaming event. The catalogue numbers for this triptych are 6810DG, 7246DG, and 7035DG.

Tingari Cycle and Sacred Initiation Ceremonies

Dr. George Tjapaltjarri’s Rocky Outcrops at Ungarla represents a pivotal moment within the Tingari Cycle, a sacred Dreaming narrative central to Pintupi culture. The painting portrays Pintalpura (Jupiter Well) in the Gibson Desert, Western Australia, a site deeply rooted in cultural history where Tingari men conducted Malliera (young men's initiation) ceremonies.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

The bold yellow roundels against the stark black background symbolize the rocky outcrops surrounding Ungarla, capturing both the physical landscape and the ceremonial ochre body designs associated with Tingari initiation rites. This minimalist yet deeply symbolic composition reflects Dr. George’s distinctive approach to storytelling through abstraction, blending landscape elements with sacred cultural traditions.

The Secret and Sacred Tingari Cycle

Due to the sacred and secret nature of the Tingari Cycle, only limited details can be revealed. However, the Tingari ancestors, revered figures from the Dreaming era, traveled vast distances across the desert, performing rituals, shaping the land, and establishing sacred sites.

At Pintalpura, a large gathering of Tingari men stopped to collect kampararpa (desert raisin) and purra (a potent antiseptic derived from red gum bark) —two essential natural resources used in traditional Pintupi bush medicine. The Tingari men, accompanied by young initiates, were typically followed by Tingari women, ensuring the continuation of cultural traditions.

The song cycles of the Tingari preserve these ancestral journeys, passing down sacred knowledge, ceremonial practices, and cultural customs to younger generations. These stories remain an integral part of post-initiation teachings, reinforcing the laws and traditions of Pintupi life.

A Contemporary Interpretation of Ancestral Knowledge

With Rocky Outcrops at Ungarla , Dr. George Tjapaltjarri delivers a powerful visual interpretation of sacred landscapes and initiation rites, merging traditional storytelling with contemporary Indigenous Australian art. The triptych format enhances the expansive nature of the composition, evoking the vastness of the Gibson Desert and the enduring presence of ancestral spirits.

This dynamic and highly collectible artwork stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Pintupi people, offering both aesthetic beauty and profound spiritual depth.