Biography

Wilfred Jupurrurla Nelson lives in Yuendumu, an Aboriginal community located 290 kms north-west of Alice Springs. He was born and raised here and attended the local Primary School before moving to Alice Springs to attend Traeger Park High School. He returned to Yuendumu after finishing school where he obtained a job working in the housing industry. Wilfred has been painting with Warlukurlangu artists Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre at Yuendumu, since 1993. He first saw his father’s brother Michael Nelson paint and liked what he saw. His other uncle, Harry Jakamarra Nelson (also an artist with Warlukurlangu), would take him bush and show him special places. On these trips he was told the Dreaming and shown the traditional ways of his country. These stories come from his father’s side and have been passed down through the generations for millennia. They are stories that relate directly to the land, its features and plants and animals that inhabit it. Wilfred’s Jukurrpa (Dreaming) include Marlu Jukurrpa (Red Kangaroo Dreaming) and Janganpa Jukurrpa (Brush-tail Possum Dreaming). Wilfred uses traditional iconography with an unrestricted palette to develop a modern interpretation of his traditional culture. When Wilfred is not painting he plays the guitar and sings with the Rising Wind Band, one of the most prolific and enthusiastic outfits in Yuendumu. Throughout Central Australia, they are known for the uplifting style of rock and reggae. Wilfred is married to Kathleen Nungarrayi Martin and they have one son, Gregwyn Dean Nelson. Wilfred is looking forward to taking him out hunting and showing him the traditional ways of his country.