Peter Japanangka Blacksmith b. c.1915

Also known as Kumunjayi
  • Artist (Painter)
A Katurrngarruru artist, Blacksmith was a well-known painter in Lajamanu, to which his own land lay in close proximity. His work features in the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria and on the cover of its Mythscapes catalogue of 1989.

Born at Winneke c. 1915, Peter Blacksmith’s land at Parnta, an old outstation 80 km south-west of Lajamanu, was the closest Warlpiri land to Lajamanu. (He was not strictly Warlpiri, but belonged to the related group Katurrngarruru.) His country also included Kiliki (Winneke Creek) and his Dreamings were Warna (Snake), Yarla (Wild Yam) from Lulju and Kanta (Bush Coconut). He started painting in 1986 for the Traditional Painting course and was a well-known painter at Lajamanu. His painting Warna Jukurrpa – Snake Dreaming – featured on the cover of the Mythscapes (National Gallery of Victoria, 1989) catalogue. He died in September 1991, a very old man by local standards, much loved for the sweetness of his disposition. Collections: National Gallery of Victoria.

Writers:
Johnson, Vivien
Date written:
1994
Last updated:
2011