Wirrimanu

by James Cowan

A diverse collection of current Balgo art. Balgo Hills (Wirrimanu) is one of the most important Aboriginal art centres in Australia. The community is located on the northern edge of the Tanami and Great Sandy Deserts and is one of the most isolated of Australia's desert settlements.Warlayirti Artists, the art centre cooperative in the community, promotes the rich and evolving work of the artists. Balgo artists are renowned for the brilliance of the colour and strong forms in their most frequently used medium of acrylic paint on canvas.The community of around 500 people includes senior established artists such as Eubena (Yupinya) Nampitjin, Elizabeth Nyumi, Boxer Milner, Sam Tjampitjin, Helicopter Tjungarrayi and Tjumpo Tjapanangka as well as younger emerging artists such as Pauline Sunfly.