Derek Jungarrayi Thompson is the maternal grandson of Papunya Tula artist, Makinti Napanangka. He came to work at Ernabella Arts in 2011 during the first men-only ceramic workshop. His figurative drawing work was already well advanced and he explained that he draws ‘all the time at home.’ Derek is also an avid hunter. The translation of his drawings of the Pukatja landscape and animal life onto ceramics is unique and received immediate interest from collectors and curators. In 2012 Derek undertook a residency at the Ceramic Workshop of the Australian National University, where he did pottery and printmaking. For many years his collaborative works with fellow Ernabella artist Ngunytjima Carroll were highly sought after and were selected as finalists in many awards. Derek and Ernabella artist Tjimpuna Williams were awarded an Australia Council grant in 2013 to undertake a big pot workshop in Jingdezhen, China. In 2017 Derek’s work was exhibited at Harvey Arts in the USA.
