George Tjangala Maxwell
Pintupi people NT/WA c.1925-1989
Lumpintja 1987
Acrylic on linen
212 x 200.5 cm
BCEC Art Collection
George Tjangala Maxwell was born at Tjunangka, a site to the north of the Kintore community. His family lived a nomadic lifestyle in this area, moving to Haasts Bluff community when George was a young man. He started painting in 1976 as the Western Desert art painting movement shifted from small boards to larger canvas paintings.
The site of Lumpitja, a swampy area to the south of the Kintore Ranges, is represented in this work. In mythological times, two men of the Tjangala kinship subsection lit a bush fire in the area. A large snake which lived in the swamp flew into the air in fright and travelled to Wilkinkarra (Lake MacDonald). The two men carried the fire away; one to the south and the other to the west. After they had gone the snake returned to the swamp. The roundels represent camp sites.
Lumpintja can be viewed in Plaza Gallery.