Rocky Outcrops at Ungarla, by Dr George Tjapaltjarri 91x91cm

Rocky Outcrops at Ungarla, 2000 by Dr George Tjapaltjarri (91x91cm) – A Sacred Ceremonial Landscape

Dr George Tjapaltjarri’s Rocky Outcrops at Ungarla (2000) is a powerful representation of Ungarla, a site of immense cultural and spiritual significance in the Gibson Desert, Western Australia. This sacred place is home to ceremonial caves, where rituals and initiations have taken place for countless generations. In the painting, the red roundels symbolise the rocky terrain of Ungarla, embodying both the physical landscape and its deeper spiritual essence.

As a Ngankari (Clever Man) and senior lawman, Dr George Tjapaltjarri was a highly respected keeper of ancestral knowledge and ceremonial traditions. His role extended beyond healing—he presided over sacred initiations, ensuring that the laws and customs of the Pintupi people remained intact. While this artwork offers a glimpse into the Tingari Cycle, much of its meaning remains secret and sacred, known only to initiated men.

The Tingari Cycle recounts the epic journeys of the Tingari ancestors, a group of powerful men of the Dreaming (Tjukurrpa) who traversed the desert, performing rituals, shaping the land, and establishing the laws that continue to govern Indigenous society. These stories, passed down through song cycles and ceremonial teachings, guide post-initiatory youths, ensuring that ancestral wisdom endures across generations.

In Rocky Outcrops at Ungarla , Dr George distills complex layers of cultural knowledge into an abstract yet deeply symbolic composition. His use of bold ochre tones and geometric formations reflects the timeless connection between land, ceremony, and identity. This painting is not merely a representation of place—it is a living archive of Dreaming law, a visual testament to the enduring power of Pintupi culture, and a bridge between the past and the present.