Wangka Walytja – the Life and Times of the Papunya Literature Production Centre

Wangka Walytja showcases the extraordinary achievements of the Papunya Literature Production Centre, where, from 1979 to 1990, writers, artists, elders, and literacy workers created hundreds of beautifully illustrated books in Pintupi-Luritja for the school's bilingual program. The exhibition features original drawings, storybooks, newsletters, manuscripts, photographs, and audio recordings, alongside new animations, talking books, and a documentary reflecting on the period. The exhibition honours the revolutionary transposition of oral storytelling into alphabetic literacy, showcasing how Papunya's writers and illustrators documented their community's history, culture, and daily life, producing the first Pintupi-Luritja literature.

On display in the Temporary Exhibition Space on the Ground Floor of the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery, South Australian Museum, 16 January to 8 June 2026. Free entry.

Curated by Karen McDonald, Roslyn Dixon, Kulata Dennis Nelson Tjakamarra, Priscilla Brown, Charlotte Phillipus Napurrula, Vivien Johnson and Samantha Disbray.

Artback NT presents this exhibition in collaboration with Papunya Tjupi Arts and researchers from The University of Queensland. This exhibition has been made possible by Australian Research Council, Creative Australia, and Regional Arts Fund.