Tjunkaya Tapaya OAM: Nyuyuntja stoking of the fire, keeping the fire alive

Nyuyuntja – stoking of the fire, keeping the fire alive, celebrates the life and work of Tjunkaya Tapaya OAM (1947 – 2025). As a senior Anangu elder, and ‘deep culture woman’, Mrs Tapaya was one of the most accomplished artists associated with Australia’s longest running and highly acclaimed Aboriginal Art Centre, Ernabella Arts.

This exhibition showcases a selection of artworks made in the final years of Mrs Tapaya’s life, which highlight her confidence as a creator and storyteller, alongside the purpose and passion inherent to her practice. Nyuyuntja features works across ceramics, batik, painting and tjanpi weaving. Central to the exhibition is a significant new artwork honouring the Kunkarungkalpa Tjukurpa (Seven Sisters creation story). Combining Tjanpi weaving with ceramics, it has been finalised after Mrs Tapaya’s passing by her collaborators at Ernabella Arts and Tjanpi Desert Weavers.

Tjunkaya Tapaya: Nyuyuntja – stoking of the fire, keeping the fire alive is JamFactory’s ICON exhibition for 2026. Through Nyuyuntja, we honour Mrs Tapaya’s great contribution to Aṉangu culture and her incredible legacy — one that keeps the fire burning for Aṉangu — and generously shares it with audiences.

The exhibition will be launched at JamFactory Adelaide as part of SALA Festival before travelling to JamFactory Seppeltsfield. It is accompanied by a 124-page monograph with contributions by Anne Thompson and Adele Sliuzas.

Tjunkaya Tapaya: Nyuyuntja – stoking of the fire, keeping the fire alive is presented in partnership with Ernabella Arts and is supported by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.

Exhibitors: Tjunkaya Tapaya OAM
And collaborators; Imiyari Adamson, Mukayi Baker Winton , Jennifer Connelly, Jacinta Heffernan, Atipalku Intjalki, Sylvana Kenny, Imuna Kenta, Jennifer Kulyuru, Daisybell Kulyuru, Michelle Lewis, Lynette Lewis, Madeline Marshall, Alison Milyika Carroll, Janice Stanley, Carlene Thompson, Marissa Thompson, Vivian Thompson, Janet Tjitayi, Katrina Tjitayi and Margaret Winton 

Tjunkaya Tapaya OAM: Nyuyuntja stoking of the fire, keeping the fire alive exhibition, Image: Connor Patterson