Donald Moko
Born about 1928
Wangkajunga, Yulparija, Kukatja, Manyjilyjarra language groups; Karimarra skin group
Bidyadanga community
Yulparija Artists, Short Street Gallery
Like a titu (bird) travelling around…
Donald Moko grew up around the Percival Lakes and Well 33. He became a man in Jigalong, travelling afterwards to Wiluna, Lajamanu and Papunya. He worked at Anna Plains Station and in the 1960’s moved to Bidyadanga where he lives with his wife Mary Meribida. Jawarta has travelled extensively as a maparn (traditional healer), law man and artist.
Nyilangkurr
2007, by Donald Moko
acrylic on canvas, 119×107 cm
Yulparija Artists, Short Street Gallery
National Museum Australia
The story of Nyilangkurr links the southern and northern areas of stock route Country. In this painting, Kunawarritji (Well 33) – the red cross in the top right corner – lies at the northern end of a long chain of jila (waterholes), and Nyilangkurr, an important men’s ceremonial site near Well 25, lies at the other. After conducting their ceremonies at Nyilangkurr, men would travel north to continue their ceremonies at jila in Wangkajunga Country. Yalta, the birthplace of Rover Thomas, lies in the sandhills (the red and blue stripes) near Kunawarritji.
