Muuki Taylor OAM
Parnngurr, WA
"My Country, Kulyakartu. I grew up there, from little boy to big boy � grew up there."
About the Artist
Muuki Taylor OAM was born around 1945 at Wayinkurangu, a soak located within the Percival Lakes region of the Great Sandy Desert. He is the oldest brother of fellow artists Wokka Taylor (c. 1939 � 2022) and Ngalangka Nola Taylor.
In his youth, Muuki�s family travelled hundreds of kilometres on foot, from the northern boundary of the Martu homelands through to Parrngurr at the southern end of the Karlamily (Rudall River) region. They continued to live a pujiman (desert dwelling) lifestyle until being collected from Balfour Downs Station and taken to Jigalong Mission in the 1960s. They were one of the last Martu families to leave the desert.
Muuki paints his ngurra (home Country) in the north of Martu Country, with a particular focus on Kulyakartu: flat, grass country close to the Percival Lakes. Muuki is a highly respected cultural leader and is often called upon as an authority by other artists.
In addition to painting with Martumili Artists, Muuki works as a senior cultural adviser for Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa (KJ). Muuki was a co-founder of KJ, which runs ranger groups and programs that protect Country and preserve cultural knowledge. His founding role was recognised in 2020 with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
