Henry Jakamarra Cook

Henry Cook, skin name Jakamarra, was born in the desert and travelled on foot extensively throughout the Tanami. As a young stockman (paid in flour and sugar rations by the station owners), he made numerous trips on horseback to Western Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria. It was around this time that he received his English name somewhere near Mount Doreen by a station owner.

Jakamarra dedicated his later years to sharing stories of Warlpiri culture and traditions, and passing his knowledge on to younger generations. Despite failing eyesight, he was a skilled artist, painting detailed stories of the Newmont Granites mine/Yartula Yartula area (his traditional home Country, 350 kilometres south of Lajamanu) in a vibrant display of Tanami desert colours. He was also a master craftsman, carving many boomerangs and other artifacts.

One of the first Warnayaka artists to gain international recognition, Jakamarra was a member of a men’s Warlpiri dance troupe that toured the USA in 1983. During this tour, the twelve men also exhibited sand artwork in Paris, France that marked their introduction to the contemporary art world and generated a high level of interest.

Jakamarra regularly travelled to his Outstation at Yartula Yartula (the Granites) up until his death, at the age of 100, in 2022.