Paddy Tjungarai Caroll

Paddy Carroll Tjungurrayi (also referred to as Tjungarayi, Tjungerrayi, Tjungarrayi, Jungarai) was born around 1927 in Yarrungkanyi, in the Western Desert. As a young boy, he suffered the loss of his father during the Coniston Massacre in 1928. Later in life, he and his brothers served in the Australian Army during World War II. After his military service, he worked as a stockman on various cattle stations, including three decades spent at Narwietooma Station. In the mid-1970s, he moved to Papunya, where he began observing other men painting their Dreamings on canvas. Inspired, Paddy started painting himself and is now recognised as one of the leading Western Desert artists. His Dreaming stories include Ngatijirri,(Budgerigar), Carpet Snake, Bush Tucker, Mukaki, Yawalyurra, (Bush Grapes), Wapiti, (Sweet Potato), Malyippi, (Sweet Potato), Goanna, Possum, Yala, (Bush Potato), Wallaby, Witchetty Grub and Caterpillar. Paddy gained further recognition in 1988 when he contributed the design of concentric circles featured on the Australian Bicentennial $10 note. In 1991, he travelled to the United States alongside fellow artist Dinny Nolan Tjampitjinpa for a working exhibition. His work has been exhibited in major galleries across Australia and internationally​.