Raymond Walters Penangke / Anmatyerre Traditional Stories – Men’s Ceremony (RW23)

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

His grandfather’s Country is Ngarleyekwerlang, Yuelumu (Mt Allan), and his grandmother’s Country is Alhalkerre Atnangkerre (Boundary Bore, Utopia). Both belong to the Anmatyerre language group. Within his extended family are speakers of the Arrernte, Western Aranda, Alywarre, Warlpiri and Kaytetye languages. Through his art, Raymond shares Anmatyerre culture and customary law—knowledge that has been passed down to him by his grandparents and other family members through ceremony and everyday life.

Raymond is proud of his connection to some of the most celebrated Anmatyerre artists, including Jack Cook Ngale, Kudditji Kngwarreye, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Minnie Pwerle, Maureen Hudson, Gloria Petyarre, Barbara Weir, Kathleen Petyarre and Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri. Like these renowned artists, he continues the world’s oldest living art tradition, using his work to celebrate and preserve Aboriginal culture.

Based in Alice Springs with his wife and children, Raymond has spent over forty years living and working in both remote and urban Aboriginal communities. He holds a Graduate Diploma in Public Health and Diplomas in Community Service Management and Community Welfare.

In addition to his painting practice, Raymond has held management and advisory roles across government and community sectors in areas such as child protection, health, disability, family support, sport and recreation, youth justice and local decision-making. He is also the Managing Director of Penangke Cultural Consultants, where he continues to inspire Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through his leadership, professionalism and dedication to sharing cultural knowledge.

Selected Solo Exhibitions

• 2018 Raymond Walters Japanangka, City Library, Melbourne
• 2018 Raymond Walters Japanangka, Art Mark Gallery, Melbourne
• 2017 Raymond Walters Japanangka, Penangk Gallery, Geelong
• 2015 Raymond Walters Japanangka, The Gordan Tafe, Geelong
• 2015 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
• 2011 Raymond Walters Japanangka, Allen Arthur Law Firm, Melbourne
• 2010 Artist in Residence, Mulgara Gallery, Yulara
• 2009 Raymond Walters Japanangka, Katrina Manton Gallery, Melbourne
• 2009 Raymond Walters Japanangka, Kath Dickson Art Gallery, Toowoomba
• 2009 Artist in Residence, Mulgara Gallery, Yulara
• 2008 Artist in Residence, Mulgara Gallery, Yulara
• 2007 Artist in Residence, Mulgara Gallery, Yulara
• 2006 Artist in Residence, Mulgara Gallery, Yulara
• 2006 Artist in Residence, Mulgara Gallery, Yulara

Selected Group Exhibitions

• 2024 Black + White, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
• 2023 Emily & Others | Geniuses from Utopia, Art Mob, Hobart
• 2022 Colour Pop, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
• 2022 Palya – a tribute to Steve Ariston, Art Mob, Hobart
• 2021 Mid-Winter Mofo, Art Mob, Hobart
• 2021 Parrtjima Australia – Festival of Light, Alice Springs
• 2020 Colours of Spring, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
• 2019 Defining Tradition | the colourists, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
• 2019 Defining Tradition: the first wave & its disciples, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
• 2019 Small is Beautiful, Japingka Gallery, Perth

Awards and Recognition

• 2021 Speaker at Parrtjima Australia 2021- Festival of Light, Alice Springs
• Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara, NT: Raymond Walter’s paintings have been transferred onto wallpaper, which decorate the dining areas of the Emu Walk Apartments

Collections
• Deakin University Art Gallery, Melbourne

One of my grandfather’s, Jack Cook Ngala, paints traditional paintings that are unchanged from many years ago and belong to ceremonial songs. My grandfather has encouraged me to paint these designs to keep our heritage strong, for this I feel very proud and privileged. Jack Cook is a very well respected well known traditional man of the Anmatyerre language group. The designs and patterns are true to body decorations found also on shields during ceremony. The colours are colours of the earth, Black, Yellow, Red and White ochre. The same colours created by our ancestors.