Riley’s father passed away when he was a small boy and his mother took him into Haasts Bluff, where he was later initiated. He lived in Papunya for a time in the late ’60s prior to the start of the painting movement, working as a cleaner, then for two years at Haasts Bluff doing stock work. Back in Papunya again, he served for a time as Secretary of the Papunya Council. There were one or two early experiments, but it was not until after the Pintupi move back to Kintore in 1981 that his older brother, George Tjangala , taught him how to paint on canvas in about 1982. He painted regularly for Papunya Tula Artists in the 1980s. Riley’s country lies around Piltarta and Muruntji, south-west of Mt Liebig. He often painted the Snake Dreaming story associated with the site Kakarra. He has served as Chairman of Kintore Council.
- Writers:
- Johnson, Vivien
Note: primary biographer
- Date written:
- 2011
- Last updated:
- 2011
