159-25 – Purkitji – ANGIE TOPSY TCHOOGA

Artist : ANGIE TOPSY TCHOOGA
Title : Purkitji
Size/Medium : 762 x 508mm: acrylic on canvas Painting

Angie is a reliable and active member of the community of Balgo.

She was born at Sturt Creek Station where she was raised by elders of the Tjaru people.

She attended school at the Old Balgo Mission. When she completed her schooling Angie returned to Sturt Creek to work as a domestic. She has fond memories of taking the children out on bush trips during this period.

Angie met her husband Jimmy on the station and they travelled to Balgo to marry. They have been married since 1972 and have five sons, one daughter and many many grandchildren. Jimmy and Angie would often migrate between Sturt Creek and Balgo, this was until one son fell ill and they moved permanently to Balgo to be close to the clinic.

Angie has lived in Balgo for about 20 years and misses the country of Sturt Creek, however she is still able to visit her country for hunting and fishing.

Angie started painting in 1988 and her themes include waterlilies and the Tjurrkupa snake. 

Jimmy and Angie Tchooga are a strong team. They paint collaboratively after they worked for a long time as solo artists. Jimmy creates bold lines and Angie complements his work with fine dotting. Together they make strong painting.

Angie has painted some of her country which is located around Purkitji (Sturt Creek). Depicted in Angie’s painting is the Sturt Creek river as seen by the joining circles.

Angie says this is good place for hunting and fishing. This place is very good for Pinyani (water lillies).

To get the water lily you have to swim under water dig at the roots and collect the plant. Angie says that Pinyani is sweet and juicy and it tastes like apples and it’s the culture that her Tja Tja (grandmother), Nungurrayi, taught her as she grew her up.