The Warlpiri Project

15/07/2026

In 1986, five Warlpiri artists from Yuendumu exchanged two paintings for a government-issued four-wheel drive vehicle, enabling them to travel back to their homelands.

These paintings are now known as Toyota Dreaming.

They were among the earliest acrylic dot paintings produced at Yuendumu, a community that has since become internationally recognised as a major centre of Central Desert art.

The works were created by Paddy Jupurrurla Nelson, Paddy Japaljarri Sims, Larry Jungarrayi Spencer, Paddy Japaljarri Stewart, and Towser Jakamarra Walker. These artists were also among those who had previously painted the iconic Yuendumu School Doors, a landmark project in the development of contemporary Warlpiri art.

The exchange was facilitated by Eric Michaels, a researcher with AIATSIS, who was working closely with the Warlpiri and Yuendumu community at the time.

Today the Warlpiri project elders reconnected with the artworks, senior elder Robin Japanangka Granites said -

“The paintings were done by the same artists who painted the Yuendumu Doors in the early 1980’s”. “They painted these master pieces to help educate the broader community about our Jukurrpa, just as they did with the painting of the Yuendumu school doors for their children way back”.

We’d like to thank AIATSIS for their ongoing support and care of these significant paintings.

13/07/2026

The men are back on the road! This week we are in Canberra to kick off a new partnership with the NFSA - National Film and Sound Archive of Australia

Over the past 6 years the Warlpiri project has repatriated and received significant donations of archival collections. We will now digitise these collections with the NFSA, this will see the training of young Warlpiri in digitisation and collections management.

Stay tuned for more!

08/07/2026

Happy NAIDOC week - “50 Years of Deadly”!

This NAIDOC week we are celebrating Yuendumu and its annual Sports Weekend - an iconic event begining way back in 1963 (63 years ago).

Giving back to community is important for the Warlpiri project.

This week the Warlpiri project joined Murray Phillips from the UoQ for a visit to Yuendumu where we delivered Yuendumu Sports Weekend archive books to community members and organisations.

This book has pulled together private, museum and university collections which has captured the Yuendumu sports weekend and its events from its inception to present.

We had a great time and it was rewarding to see the joy and excitement people have looking at the photos.

If you are in Yuendumu and want one, come down to the big shop or outback store, they are free!

Ngurrju nyayirni, have a great NAIDOC week!

04/06/2026

"If we hold the power, we hold our destiny and our future for our children."

A great article by co-founder of the Warlpiri project and AIATSIS chair Karl Hampton. Click the link to read more!

The AIATSIS Summit on the Gold Coast has become a meeting place for Indigenous leaders, organisations and communities to discuss truth-telling, culture, native title, language, justice and self-determ...

01/06/2026

As Reconciliation week comes to a close for 2026, we'd like to share this quote made by Senior Warlpiri elder Warren Japanangka Williams.

"We have to start collaborating with our young people. Telling stories through the objects we get back, they got another meaning, and we pass that information onto the next generations"

The Warlpiri project is committed to continuing to help Warlpiri people in reclaiming our cultural heritage material and identity.

Ngurrju nyani

🔴🟡⚫️

18/05/2026

As today is International Museum day with the theme of Museums uniting a divided world, we would like to honour Warlpiri elder Darby Jampijinpa Ross (dec).

Jampijinpa’s story spans across 4 decades, beginning his work within this space in the 1960s and continuing all the way up until the late 1990s.

International Museum Day highlights the role of museums in society and is co-ordinated by the International Council of Museums - ICOM. More than 37,000 museums in 158 countries participate in the event to raise awareness on the role of museums in cultural exchange, education, and development.

The Warlpiri project is proud to continue his legacy and ensure that his unique story lives on.

Click the link to read more - https://whatson.samuseum.sa.gov.au/news/celebrating-darbys-legacy-international-museum-day



South Australian Museum
Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation

01/05/2026

The Warlpiri project would like to send our deepest condolences to the families of Kumantjayi Little Baby. We are thinking of you all in this difficult time.

We’d like to also share the statements made by Warlpiri senior elders Robin Japanangka Granites and Warren Japanangka Williams, and ask that you listen to these elders and take their guidance during this time.

Thinking of you all ❤️

STATEMENT FROM YAPA ELDER ROBIN GRANITES

Robin Granites, senior Yapa (Warlpiri) elder and spokesperson for the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby, has appealed for calm across the Central Australian community.

“It is time now for sorry business, to show respect for our family and have space for grieving and remembering.

“Everyone is feeling very upset and emotions are very high, I understand that.

“What has happened this week is not our way. Our children are precious, of course we are feeling angry and hurt at what has happened.

“This man has been caught, thanks to community action, and we must now let justice take its course while we take the time to mourn Kumanjayi Little Baby and support our family.”

Mr Granites has asked people in bush communities to carefully consider their need to travel to Mparntwe/Alice Springs at this time.

“If you need to come to join sorry business, that’s fine. But just come for that, then return home please.

“Now is not the time to be heroes on social media or make trouble.

“We must be mindful Mparntwe is traditional country for Central Arrernte, and East and Western Arrernte as well. We must respect that and their ways.

“We need to be strong for each other, we must respect family and cultural practice. This is the Yapa way.”

Please note that SNAICC – National Voice for our Children is helping to support the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby at this time.

25/04/2026

We would like to give a shoutout our Warlpiri repatriation officer Jamie Hampton, who is currently in Germany as part of his Winston Churchill fellowship.

Jamie is currently engaging with Warlpiri collections across multiple German museums.

These collections were sent to Germany in 1912, 114 years ago! They are some of the oldest Warlpiri collections we know of.

We look forward to working with these museums moving forward on their collections.

Winston Churchill Trust - AU

10/04/2026

We would like to provide an update on current research being undertaken in the USA & UK by members of the Warlpiri project team.

Research conducted in the USA uncovered this amazing old newspaper story of Warlpiri elder “One Pound Jimmy” Jungarrayi, hidden in the archives.

After his image was placed on the Australian stamp in 1950 he became a world renowned name and people would travel great distances to try capture one more picture of him or even just to meet him in person.

If you can see in the photo, he has shaved his beard, this was a tactic he used to try throw tourists off in their searches for him.

We are proud to share his story and continue his legacy through the Warlpiri Project.

17/02/2026

The Warlpiri project team has been busy as of late!

Men based in Alice Springs and Yuendumu have been working hard planning the year ahead, with some exciting overseas trips and repatriation projects happening this year. Including a huge trip to Washington DC later this year!

Stay posted for more updates about our international trips in the coming weeks!

We also hope everyone has been staying safe during the recent floods!

Lastly a special shoutout to our visitor from Japan.

Ngurrju!