Tjunkaya Tapaya OAM: Nyuyuntja stoking of the fire, keeping the fire alive

Tjunkaya Tapaya OAM: Nyuyuntja stoking of the fire, keeping the fire alive written by Adele Sliuzas & Anne Thompson

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Nyuyuntja – stoking of the fire, keeping the fire alive, celebrates the life and work of Tjunkaya Tapaya OAM (1947 – 2025). As a senior Anangu elder, and ‘deep culture woman’, Mrs Tapaya was one of the most accomplished artists associated with Australia’s longest running and highly acclaimed Aboriginal Art Centre, Ernabella Arts.

This exhibition showcases a selection of artworks made in the final years of Mrs Tapaya’s life, which highlight her confidence as a creator and storyteller, alongside the purpose and passion inherent to her practice. Nyuyuntja features works across ceramics, batik, painting and tjanpi weaving. Central to the exhibition is a significant new artwork honouring the Kunkarungkalpa Tjukurpa (Seven Sisters creation story). Combining Tjanpi weaving with ceramics, it has been finalised after Mrs Tapaya’s passing by her collaborators at Ernabella Arts and Tjanpi Desert Weavers.

Tjunkaya Tapaya: Nyuyuntja – stoking of the fire, keeping the fire alive is JamFactory’s ICON exhibition for 2026. Through Nyuyuntja, we honour Mrs Tapaya’s great contribution to Aṉangu culture and her incredible legacy — one that keeps the fire burning for Aṉangu — and generously shares it with audiences.

Designed by Jenna Lee
Photography by Connor Patterson