Michael George Tulngayarri Japalyi (aka Nutwood) is the son of George Karlipirri Jukurtayi. Born in Katherine, he grew up at Jinparrak (Old Wave Hill Station) and was aged 10 at the time of the Wave Hill Walk-Off. In the 1970s, he worked at stock camps on various local cattle stations, then in the 1980s and 1990s for Daguragu Community Government Council in a variety of roles. He commenced painting in 2014 after attending Gough Whitlam’s funeral. He paints to reflect on history and his connection to Country, and to honour his father and his grandfather Tinker (the rainmaker who caused the 1924 flood that washed away the first Wave Hill Station at Victoria River).
Along with fellow artists Dylan Miller and Richard Long, Michael has just completed a mural painting of Yarla (Bush Yam) covering the façade of the Victoria-Daly Council office building in Kalkaringi.