Andy Tjilari

Andy Tjilari was born in at Nyultu near Kalka in the west of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands, and lived a traditional life with his family travelling around their country until they moved east to Ernabella, when he was a young teenager. Andy attended school at Ernabella. He was already married when he and his wife and the first of his two children, moved to Fregon in the early 1960’s. An active, important elder in the community, he was a key figure in the establishment of the new community at Fregon as well as assisting in the setting up of the Fregon school. A traditional ngankari (healer), Andy assists the local health clinic and also works with the NPY Women’s Council. Painting is a very new art form for Andy who also carves traditional implements such as boomerangs and spears.