282-25 – Tjukakarrinyu – JIMMY TCHOOGA

Artist : JIMMY TCHOOGA
Title : Tjukakarrinyu
Size/Medium : 1219 x 610mm: acrylic on canvas Painting

Biography :

Jimmy Tchooga is a highly respected artist, senior Law man, and ceremonial leader, deeply committed to preserving and sharing his cultural heritage. As the lead singer for ceremony, he plays a vital role in maintaining tradition within his community. His paintings, marked by bold hues and precise dot work, depict his Tjukurrpa (Dreaming)—primarily the creation story of his father’s Country, Tjukakarrinyu, east of Balgo in the Tanami Desert. A dedicated cultural leader, Jimmy has served as both Chairperson and Director of Warlayirti Artists for many years.

In recent years, Jimmy has embarked on an exciting new artistic venture into drawing, inspired by the Birrundudu Drawings, a rare collection of ancestral artworks that had long been under embargo. As one of the most senior cultural authorities in the project, Jimmy was among the first to see these historic works and lead consultations with other senior men across the desert. Deeply moved by what he saw, he became the first artist to creatively respond, producing a powerful suite of pastel-on-paper drawings in 2021 and 2022 through Warlayirti Artists. These works were acquired by the Berndt Museum, creating a profound dialogue between the past and present of desert art.

Today, Jimmy paints alongside his wife, Angie Topsy Tchooga, a strong and active member of the Balgo community. Married since 1972, Jimmy and Angie have raised five sons, one daughter, and many grandchildren. Now, they often paint collaboratively, blending Jimmy’s bold, structured lines with Angie’s fine dotting to create works of striking beauty and significance. They are a formidable artistic duo, painting side by side at Warlayirti Artists most days, with Jimmy currently serving as Chairperson and Angie as an active board member.

Their work is a testament to love, culture, and innovation, carrying forward generations of knowledge while continuing to break new ground as artists and leaders.

About this painting : 

This painting tells a story from Jimmy’s Tjukurrpa (Dreaming), passed down to him by his father. It unfolds in his ancestral Country of Tjukakarrinyu, east of Balgo, deep within the Tanami Desert. At the centre, the flowing, interwoven lines represent Tjurrnu (soak water)—a precious life source in the desert. Surrounding these are intricate patterns that echo the rolling Tali (sandhills), evoking both the physical contours and the spiritual essence of this sacred land.