Yunkurra Billy Atkins

ISEA2013

Yunkurra Billy Atkins, Martu, was born in the 1930s and lives in Jigalong Community, Western Australia. He is a Martu artist, lawman and storyteller, who was born at Well 9 on the Canning Stock Route and grew up in the country around Wiluna, but returned north to his ancestral homelands, which includes Lake Disappointment, Savory Creek and Jilakurru. He is a knowledgeable senior Martu man and an authority on these important Martu places. Having narrowly avoided being taken away by missionaries as a child, he grew up with Elders, learning about country proppa way. Yunkurra, now living at Jigalong, close to his home country, has been painting and carving as an independent artist since the early 2000s. His work has been included in numerous group exhibitions in Australia and overseas. Solo exhibitions include one at the Courthouse Arts Centre and Gallery in Port Hedland in 2004, and Pretty One at William Mora Galleries Melbourne in 2010. His work was selected for the 2003 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award. Yunkurra’s works are included in the collections of The National Gallery of Australia, The National Museum of Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria.