Long Jack Phillipus

Long Jack Phillipus (1932-2020) married Georgette Napaltjarri and they had two sons and three daughters, and now many grandchildren. Long Jack is a highly respected elder in the Papunya Community and has a strong influence on the young people, particularly in maintaining their traditional ways.

Long Jack Phillipus and many of the old Aboriginal Men from the Warlpiri and Anmatyerre tribes were educated by the Lutheran missionaries. They believe devoutly in both their traditional Tjukurrpa Dreamings as well as the Lutheran teachings. In 1984 Long Jack Phillipus was also ordained as a Lutheran pastor.

Long Jack Phillipus’ work encompasses the Spinifex Wallaby, Kingfisher, Dingo, Possum and Emu Dreamings, as well as other Dreamings from the Mt Singleton area. A number of his early works on board depict decorated ceremonial participants and ritual objects perhaps occasioned by the heightened environment in the Men’s Painting Room, which prompted the artists to demonstrate visually the strength of their culture and law. In 1983 Long Jack Phillipus won the Northern Territory Golden Jubilee Art Award. The following year, he won first prize in the Alice Springs Caltex Art Award. He was chairman of Papunya Tula Artists in the early 1990s. 

Collections

National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne VIC
Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs NT
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney NSW
Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide SA
Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth WA
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin NT
Berndt Museum, University of Western Australia, Perth WA
The Holmes à Court Collection, Perth WA