Ray James Tjangala is the son of Anatjari Tjampitjinpa (1927-1999), one of the founders of the Papunya Artists Collective. Ray James was born around 1958 in the bush and in 1963 his family left the desert for Papunya.
In the late 1980s, Ray started painting for the Papunya Tula Artists while living at Kintore. It is noticeable that the friendship of Ray James with Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi, one of the first painters and an authority on ceremonial matters, has been major influence on his work. His paintings are usually executed in two colors. By playing with the possibilities of optical lines and curves on a two-dimensional surface, the works of Ray James, just as the work of George Tjungurrayi creates a strong illusory effect. Ray's work often depicts the stories of Tingari Tjukurrpa, or the Dreaming. These are the creation stories of the ancestors which shape and explain the laws, land, and identity of his people.
Visit our website smith-davidson.com for more information.
In the late 1980s, Ray started painting for the Papunya Tula Artists while living at Kintore. It is noticeable that the friendship of Ray James with Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi, one of the first painters and an authority on ceremonial matters, has been major influence on his work. His paintings are usually executed in two colors. By playing with the possibilities of optical lines and curves on a two-dimensional surface, the works of Ray James, just as the work of George Tjungurrayi creates a strong illusory effect. Ray's work often depicts the stories of Tingari Tjukurrpa, or the Dreaming. These are the creation stories of the ancestors which shape and explain the laws, land, and identity of his people.
Visit our website smith-davidson.com for more information.
Artworks
Articles
Media
Highlights
Recommendations
Collections
Shows
Market position
CV
Artworks by Ray James Tjangala
Media
Ray James Tjangala at work
In museum collection:
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Market position
Ray James Tjangala's work has been exhibited in Australia and internationally, such as in the show 'Irrititja Kuwarri Tjungu | Past & Present Together: 50 Years of Papunya Tula Artists, Part 2' at the Kluge-Ruhe Collection of the University of Virginia, USA. His paintings have been included in major public collections of Australia like the National Gallery of Australia and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. With SmithDavidson Gallery, Ray's work were on display at the show 'Interwoven Worlds' in collaboration with Wolterinck Laren (2025) and Art Cologne in 2024. Ray James was also the finalist for the Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award in 2016.
CV
Selected Collections:
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Australia
Hank Ebes Collection, Melbourne, Australia
The Luczo Family Collection, USA
Luciano Benetton Collection, Venice, Italy
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, Australia
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Selected Group Exhibitions:
2025 - 'Interwoven Worlds', SmithDavidson Gallery X Wolterinck Laren, Laren, The Netherlands
2022 - 'Fifty Years Papunya Tula Artists', Utopia Art, Sydney, Australia
2022- 'Irrititja Kuwarri Tjungu | Past & Present Together: 50 Years of Papunya Tula Artists, Part 2', Kluge-Ruhe Collection, University of Virginia, Charlottesville VA, USA
2021 - 'Community XII - 50 Years of Papunya Tula Artists', Utopia Art, Sydney, Australia
2021 - '50 Years of Papunya Tula Artists', Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney, Australia
2020 - 'Pintupi Masters - Enduring Dreamings,' Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney, Australia
Selected Awards
2016 - 33rd NATSIAA, Darwin - Finalist
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Australia
Hank Ebes Collection, Melbourne, Australia
The Luczo Family Collection, USA
Luciano Benetton Collection, Venice, Italy
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, Australia
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Selected Group Exhibitions:
2025 - 'Interwoven Worlds', SmithDavidson Gallery X Wolterinck Laren, Laren, The Netherlands
2022 - 'Fifty Years Papunya Tula Artists', Utopia Art, Sydney, Australia
2022- 'Irrititja Kuwarri Tjungu | Past & Present Together: 50 Years of Papunya Tula Artists, Part 2', Kluge-Ruhe Collection, University of Virginia, Charlottesville VA, USA
2021 - 'Community XII - 50 Years of Papunya Tula Artists', Utopia Art, Sydney, Australia
2021 - '50 Years of Papunya Tula Artists', Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney, Australia
2020 - 'Pintupi Masters - Enduring Dreamings,' Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney, Australia
Selected Awards
2016 - 33rd NATSIAA, Darwin - Finalist
Free Magazine Subscription
Articles, interviews, shows & events. Delivered to your mailbox weekly.