Born at Coniston, Bandy Jupurrula is a Warlpiri speaker and custodian of Bandicoot Dreaming in this region. He lives in Willowra and has no particular connections with artists in his own or in other Western Desert painting communities. Just before canvas and paint arrived in the Willowra community in 1989 through the CDEP Adviser, Bandy had been painting weapons like boomerangs and shields for the artefact market and quickly moved on to boards when the opportunity became available. The artist takes an active interest in the ceremonial life of the Willowra community, remarking that “sometimes I am interested in other ceremonies/purlapa/initiations etc.”.
