The Inquiry | SP-1334

DOB: c. 1962 – 30 December 2008

Birthplace: Alice Springs, NT

Language: Arrente

Skin name: Mpetyane




David was born in Alice Springs in 1962. His mother always made it clear to him that it was up to him to make his own money. So, at the age of 13, David started stacking the shelves at his local supermarket. That job earned him $70 a week, $10 of which went to his mother every week for rent. He spent most of his time with his grandfathers and uncles learning about the land and listening to their stories of what happened in the Dreaming. While doing all of this, David still managed to complete his schooling.

Behind each one of his magical pieces is an intricate and incredibly detailed story that demonstrates David’s knowledge of the land and the secrets that surround Mbunta (Alice Springs). He was taught all these secrets and creations by his grandfather and uncles. With the secrets and teachings comes great self discipline. The stories hold great power, and the beholder must be able to contain that power otherwise it will control them. David chose not to tell the stories he knows to his brothers because he believed that they were not strong enough to hold onto them and did not want to burden them with that.

David’s pieces are held all over the world in private collections. One piece “D.C.N.A.G” was used in “Changing Places – Cross Cultural Art from Australia”, an exhibition that went from Kuala Lumpur to Penang and finished in Kuching exhibiting works from David and other Australian artists in 1995. David went from being an Aboriginal Legal Aid worker, to helping create and bring to fruition IMPARJA television to a very well-known and sought-after painter.