Ray’s first contact with whitemen was the sighting of planes overhead as a small boy. He later worked as a stockman at various cattle stations across the centre, including Haasts Bluff, before taking up painting in the early ’80s. Johnny Warangkula and his close friend Dick Pantimas taught him how to use paint and canvas. His traditional country lay around his birthplace Illpili and the site of Winparrku in this area. The stories he painted included Emu, Lightning and Rain Dreamings. His places of residence during the ’80s included Haasts Bluff, Illpili, Papunya and Mt Liebig. He was survived by his three wives, several daughters and grandchildren.

Writers:

Johnson, Vivien Note: Primary biographer.

Date written:

1994

Last updated:

2011