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Jerry Jangala Patrick

Jerry Jangala Patrick

Jangala was born at Kulpurlunu, around 1933. That is his country and he grew up in the bush around there in the traditional way. When the government began to resettle people Jangala’s people walked across the Tanami Desert to Willowra. From there they moved to Yuendumu in the early 1940s. Jangala made the journey on foot, while the government moved other people by truck. At that time Yuendumu had bores but there were no houses and all the people from different tribes were together there. Jangala continued to travel through Telegraph Station and Tennant Creek stopping a short while at each place. He went to Newcastle Waters and old Wave Hill Station and finally came to Hooker Creek – now called Lajamanu, around 1948. At that time there were two buildings and the work was clearing the land to make the settlement and the airstrip. The first buildings were a small health clinic and kitchen. Jangala’s surname came from the man who drove them to Hooker Creek and was the community’s first superintendent. Jangala is a respected elder and Pastor in Lajamanu Community. As well as painting, Jangala makes wooden items like boomerangs at the Art Centre. Many of his works are sold before he completes them.

Artwork by Jerry Jangala Patrick