Zakius Jack
Zakius was born in the bush near Papunya in 1970. He is the son of Ikuntji Artists’ founding member Eunice Napanangka Jack and Gideon Tjupurrula Jack. Eunice was born in Lupul in the Sir Frederick Ranges, and travelled to Haasts Bluff with her parents as a child during ration days. Gideon was born in Wilkinkarra (Lake Mackay) at Pinarri and also came into Haasts Bluff in the 1940’s. Zakius says, “Father walked from lake (Mackay) to Hermannsburg long time ago, he was a stockman. From there, he went to Papunya.” Both Eunice and Gideon began painting at Ikuntji Womens Centre (now Ikuntji Artists) since its opening in 1992.
Zakius is the youngest of his siblings, his older brothers are Tutuma Jack and Albie Jack, and their sister, Marlee Jack, has passed away. Zakius and his brothers grew up surrounded by art as both of their parents and grandparents (Papunya Tula Artists founding member Tutuma Jack is his grandfather) are acclaimed artists.
Zakius moved to Haasts Bluff as a young child with his family. He went to school in Haasts Bluff and then to Yirrara College in Alice Springs. Zakius was married in 1986 and has three children, Marilyn, Marlene and Lynette. Zakius says that all three of his children paint occasionally. Zakius lives primariy in Tjukurrla but returns to Haasts Bluff to spend time with his family and to paint.
Zakius began painting at Ikuntji Artists mid-2008 and is the only of his siblings that continues to paint today. His father, Gideon taught him to paint on canvas from the age of twenty. He paints Wilkinkarra – Lake Mackay, the country and Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) of his father and grandfather. Zakius employs traditionally simple and effective style in his work, having attracted attention from visitors and commercial galleries alike. Zakius has featured in a number of exhibitions and is represented in galleries in Australia and France.
Languages
Luritja
Community
Haasts Bluff
Artwork themes
- Wilkinkarra (Lake Mackay)
Artworks
Lake Mackay Fabric – Black and Yellow on Military (Tencel Linen) 50cm
Wilkinkarra Fabric – Blue and Lilac on Black (Tencel Linen) 50cm
Lake Mackay Fabric – Light Blue and Burnt Orange on Black (Tencel Linen) 50cm
Wilkinkarra Fabric – Blue and Black on Burnt Sienna (Tencel Linen) 50cm
Wilkinkarra Fabric – Orange and Light Yellow on Black (Tencel Linen) 50cm
Lake Mackay – Selleck Shirt
Lake Mackay – Doris Day Dress
Ronney Shirt – Lake Mackay
Past Exhibitions
Group
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2024 Tjukurrpa on Fabrics - IOTA 2024, Holmes a Court Gallery, Margaret River WA
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2023 Ikuntji Textiles, Central Craft, Alice Springs NT
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2023 National Indigenous Art Fair, Sydney NSW
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2023 Ikuntji Style, Artisan, Brisbane
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2023 'Ikuntji Style', artisan, Brisbane.
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2023 Ikuntji Style, Artisan, Brisbane
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2022 Ikuntji Textiles Exhibition, Central Craft, Alice Springs.
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2019 Desert Mob Market Place 2019, Alice Springs., 5th, 6th and 7th September.
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2018 Desert Mob Market Place 2018, Alice Springs., 6th, 7th and 8th September.
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2018 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair 2018, Darwin.
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2018 3rd Annual Environmental Defenders Office of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Art Auction, Darwin and Sydney.
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2017 Desert Mob, Araluen, Alice Springs.
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2017 One Country - Many Stories, Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane.
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2016 WOMADELAIDE, Adelaide.
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2015 Ancestral Presence - recent works by Ikuntji Artists, June Marriott Gallery, Central Craft, Araluen Cultural Precinct.
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2015 Art Parade, Whistlewood.
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2015 Art Parade 2015, Artitja Fine Art, Mosman Park.
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2014 Around the Campfire - Fundraiser Concert, Alice Springs.
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2014 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin.
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2011 "Ikuntji Works" Scotch College, Melbourne.
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2009 Men at Work. Aboriginal Art in der Fabrik, ARTKELCH @ kptec, Schorndorf, Germany.
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2009 Ikuntji Artists, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney.
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2009 New Paintings from the Desert, Centred Art, Brisbane.
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2009 Land and Mythology - Art of the Western Desert, Artequity, Sydney.
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2008 DesertMob, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs.
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2008 Yungkiya & Kulunnypa - Old & New, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney.
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2008 Cultural Connections - Desert Stories, Artitja Fine Art, Perth.
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2008 Ikuntji Painters, Footsteps Gallery, Brisbane.
Collections
- COLLECTION SORDELLO MISSANA - FRANCE
- Fondation Opale Collection, Crans-Montana Switzerland