George Yapa Tjangala

George Yapa Tjangala is a respected Pintupi artist from the Western Desert region of Central Australia. Born around 1945 at Witingu, between Jupiter Well and present-day Kiwirrkura in Western Australia, he spent his early years living a traditional, nomadic lifestyle. Following the death of his father, George was adopted by renowned artist Anatjari Tjampitjinpa. In 1963, his family was sighted by government patrols, and a year later, they were relocated to the settlement of Papunya.

At Papunya, George began his artistic journey by assisting senior artists such as Uta Uta Tjangala and Charlie Tarawa Tjungurrayi. By the mid-1970s, he commenced painting in his own right and became associated with the Papunya Tula Artists collective. His artworks are deeply rooted in his cultural heritage, often depicting the Eagle Hawk Dreaming and Tingari stories connected to his traditional country around Kirrpinga and Kiwirrkura, including significant sites like Wala Wala, a large waterhole outside Kiwirrkura.

George's paintings are characterised by intricate dot work and symbolic representations of ancestral narratives, reflecting the rich tapestry of Pintupi culture. His works have been exhibited widely and are held in major public and private collections, both nationally and internationally.