Yuendumu

Country of Paddy Sims © Warlukurlangu Artists

Yuendumu is situated about 350 km northwest of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory on traditional homeland of the Warlpiri, the largest language group in indigenous Australia today.

The Warlpiri had their first contact with contemporary art on trips to Papunya and several outstations. In 1983 the art movement gained momentum when a few senior artists (among them Paddy Sims and Paddy Stewart) decided to paint the doors at the Yuendumu school so the children would be reminded of their rich cultural heritage.

The art of the Warlukurlangu Artists from Yuendumu is noted for its distinctive style of vibrant colours and the use of mainly traditional iconography. It owes its richness to the distinctive painting styles of individual artists as well as to the diversity of the dreamings painted. The most frequently painted sites are Mina Mina in the north and Yanjirlpirri in the west.