Raymond Walters Japanangka / Ankerre Jukurrpa (Emu Feathers) (RW46)

Raymond Walters Penangke was born in Alice Springs in November 1975.

His grandfather’s country is Ngarleyekwerlang of Yuelumu (Mt Allan) and his grandmother’s country is Alhalkerre Atnangkerre (Utopia). They are both from the Anmatyerre language group. Amongst his extended family members are speakers of the Arrente, Western Aranda, Alywarre, Warlpiri and Kaytetye language groups. Through art Raymond wants to share Anmatyerre Culture and Customary Law, which has been passed to him by his grandparents and other family members by way of ceremonies and learning on a day to day basis.

Raymond takes pride in his links with some of the most amazing Anmatyerre artists, such as Jack Cook Ngal, Kudditji Kngwarreye, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Minnie Pwerle, Maureen Hudson, Gloria Petyarre, Barbara Weir, Kathleen Petyarre, and Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri. These artists have showcased the Aboriginal culture to the world through exhibitions and featuring in highly sought-after collections, continuing the world’s longest art tradition.

Raymond has been living in Victoria with his wife and children for the past few years. He is currently undertaking a Master’s Degree in Public Health at Deakin University’s Institute of Koori Education. He is passionate about contributing to making strong and sustainable change to the lives of his family and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This opportunity to study has given Raymond a deeper insight and understanding into health on many levels and he aims to inspire other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the way he conducts himself and by sharing and passing on his knowledge.

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2018
Raymond Walters Japanangka, City Library, Melbourne
Raymond Walters Japanangka, Art Mark Gallery, Melbourne

2017
Raymond Walters Japanangka, Penangk Gallery, Geelong

2015
Raymond Walters Japanangka, The Gordan Tafe, Geelong
Artist in Residence, Mulgara Gallery, Yulara

2014
Raymond Walters Japanangka, Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Geelong

2013
Artist in Residence, Mulgara Gallery, Yulara

2012
Raymond Walters Japanangka, Gasworks, Melbourne

2011
Raymond Walters Japanangka, Incinerator, Melbourne
Raymond Walters Japanangka, Allen Arthur Law Firm, Melbourne

2009
Raymond Walters Japanangka, Katrina Manton Gallery, Melbourne
Raymond Walters Japanangka, Kath Dickson Art Gallery, Toowoomba

2006 – 2010
Artist in Residence, Mulgara Gallery, Yulara

Selected Group Exhibitions

2021
Mid-Winter Mofo, Art Mob, Hobart
Parrtjima Australia 2021- Festival of Light, Alice Springs

2020
Colours of Spring, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney

2019
Defining Tradition | the colurists, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
Defining Tradition: the first wave & its disciples, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
Small is Beautiful, Japingka Gallery, Perth

During the Dreamtime hundreds of Emu travelled through the Western Desert towards the East, moving across the land in great numbers creating and forcing the land to change and evolve. Their enormous size and great numbers enabled them create such change in the land. For many days they travelled through different language groups leaving different stories, interacting with different animal species and spiritual beings, leaving songs and stories which are still heard today. Many died from travelling so far, so long without water and food. Signs of the Emu’s that perished are found in some remote areas in the Western and Tanami Deserts. Finally after travelling a great distance, the Emu’s decided to rest near a place called Ngarleyekwerlang.

The Emu’s were hungry and heard from others about the sweet tasting Kutjuta (Bush Tomato). While the other Emu’s rested, one Emu went into the Ngarleyekwerlang grass plains and asked Old Man Turkey for some Kutjuta. The Old Man Turkey said his Kutjuta was rotten and didn’t taste very nice and got cranky, telling the Emu to go away. The Emu did not believe Old Man Turkey and returned to the others, waiting until late in the afternoon when the Old Man Turkey flew elsewhere. When the Emu returned he came across a trench in the ground where he found all this Kutjuta hidden. He tasted one and it was beautiful and sweet. While he was feeding, the Old Man Turkey came back and found him. He wasn’t happy and a fight started which scattered all the Kutjuta everywhere and created the Ngarleyekwerlang landscape. This story is an important song sung during special ceremonies.