PEPAI JANGALA CARROLL | USA SOLO
When presented with a blank canvas, Pepai gestures with his whole arm how he is going to paint, ‘I’m gonna come around here, then go this way, then go over there, and finish up that way’. With a playful smile, he taps his finger against his temple, tilts his head to one side and says ‘I know’.
Unsurprisingly Pepai is referring to “knowing”the Country dear to his heart -his ancestral lands in the Western Desert of Australia.These lands inspire all of his paintings, whether it is his father’s Country, his mother-in-law’sCountry or his grandmother’s Country. Pepai grew up near these lands, but unfortunately due to the death of his parents, he moved away at an early age to live in Ernabella with family members.It was here he settled, married and had five children. His first job was as a carpenter, then followed by a long career as the Community Constable working for the South Australian Police. Once retired, he quickly became a permanent fixture at Ernabella Arts becoming a well respected and much admired senior artist.
In April 2017, Pepai went on a long journey to his home to see the lands he had not seen for many decades. The senior men living on Country immediately welcomed Pepai who became immersed in the information these men were willing to share. Stories of family lineage, Country and their experiences from a long time ago were spoken about whilst Pepai listened with intent. He visited places in which he had lived and seen as a child, Kiwirrkura, Ininti, Walungurru and also to new places such as Yumari as encouraged by the senior men. Many of Pepai’s artworks were inspired by and titled after these sites that are meaningful for him. Often he will point to a particular part on his canvas and say ‘I was standing there’ with fond nostalgia. Pepai’s distinctive mark making is unparalleled. Patch worked swatches that seamlessly blend like walking through and beyond salt flats, sand dunes and deserts. Open areas are left untouched to symbolize water sources such as creeks and rock holes. These voids are left pure, an unintentional picture-perfect metaphor for water.
Pepai’s distinctive mark making is unparalleled. Patch worked swatches that seamlessly blend like walking through and beyond salt flats, sand dunes and deserts.Open areas are left untouched to symbolise water sources such as creeks and rockholes. These voids are left pure, an unintentional picture-perfect metaphor for water.
Each morning when Pepai arrives at the Ernabella Art Centre he says hello to everyone with a smile. He is charming, warm and delightful to be around and is wise, thoughtful and caring. Not only is Pepai a remarkable artist he is also a remarkable man. His generosity seems to have no bounds. He will give his time, his ear and his knowledge to all. This exhibition is an extension of his generosity; he wants to share his story, the areas of Country that are exceptionally special to him.
On view until June 15.
