This site is called Tjulpu (Bird). It is a rockhole south of Kaltukatjara community. Roy Yaltjanki spent much of his childhood growing up in this area living a nomadic lifestyle with his family. This is a site on the Kungka Kutjara songline, where two sisters travelled up from the south towards Kintore, forming features in the landscape as they went.
Roy Yaltjanki was born c.1933 in the bush near present day Kaltukatjara (Docker River). Roy grew up in the Kaltukatjara area with his family, and remembers this as a time of plenty when the abundance of bush food and fresh water sustained many Anangu. In around 1942, he and his family walked for days across a vast salt lake to the Areyonga Mission. Roy went to school at the Mission, but as a young man returned to his home country. He married his first wife and they had several children together; when she passed away, he remarried with renowned ngangkari Pantjiti McKenzie AO. He now lives in Kaltukatjara (Docker River) community with many generations of his family. Roy has been painting and carving punu (wooden artefacts) for decades. Pastor Roy has a strong love for his country, underpinned by his deep spiritual knowledge. Roy is also an ordained Christian minister, and continues to be a spiritual guide and leader for his community.
Desert Mob is presented annually in Mparntwe | Alice Springs on Arrernte Country.
On behalf of Desart’s staff and art centre members, the Executive Committee humbly and respectfully acknowledge the Arrernte Apmereke Artweye (Traditional Owners) and Kwertengerle (Traditional Managers) of Mparntwe.
Desart respectfully advises Aboriginal readers that this website may contain names, images and artworks of people who have passed away.
