Carbiene Tjangala McDonald: Purinypangku Purinypangku

Purinypangku Purinypangku (Slowly Slowly Carefully)

Carbiene Tjangala McDonald was born in Papunya in 1961. Travelling his homelands with his father Snowy Rowe Mcdonald at a young age he realised a story, a “Tjukurrpa” specific to Docker River and its vast surrounding ranges. A dreaming he was to inherit from his family lines.

“The fact that Carbiene calls painting “work” is significant. His swirls of paint within continuous grids are a form of structure for a man who seems to desire structure, but who for a long time must have lacked it. “Up and down”, he says as he paints. Counting, repetition and keeping track”.

— Paloma Pizarro, 2023

Carbiene obsesses over the numbers, the measurements, the materials. The artist is immersed in the process even well before the paint is applied to the canvas. Sitting cross legged, upright posture, he paints the grid with devout faith. He becomes deeply absorbed in the act of painting, orchestrating the surface in a trance state. Purinypa purinypa is a recent series made at Papunya Tjupi Arts, “Ngurangka Palyani” (made at home), demonstrating an artist’s unique relationship to art practice.

“Carbiene is always on a road towards mastery and perfection. The outcome is magic.”

— Willie Ackerman, Papunya Tjupi Arts Manager