Pepai Jangala Carroll

Although based for decades in Pukatja, in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in northern South Australia, Pepai Jangala Carroll was born in Haast’s Bluff in his father’s country near Walungurru (Kintore) in the Northern Territory.  While he has been painting for a number of years, it is only of late that he has begun to also create objects.  Both his paintings and his ceramic offerings exude extraordinary powers. It is through his practice that Carroll conjures up Luritja/Pintupi country, merging his deep knowledge and custodial responsibilities of country into these wondrous works of art. Like a spell, the use of the recurring title, Walungurru, adds strength to this evocation, whether referring to his beautifully coloured ceramic forms or his aesthetically minimalistic paintings. In his thrown ceramic form, Walungurru (2015) Carroll has incised intricate patterns and layered various tones of majestic blues to construct a highly individual and original interpretation of landscape and country.  The vessel both commands with its profoundness and enthrals with its wonder.

Pepai Jangala Carroll’s work is on display in Gallery 23 at the Art Gallery of South Australia during Magic Object.