"The primary inspiration for Pepai Jangala Carroll’s painting practice was his journey into the far reaches of the Western Desert in April 2017. With the support of family and friends, Pepai devised a plan to travel to the country far west of Haasts Bluff that fate had taken him away from. Pepai was also determined to connect with senior Pintupi men who he hoped could bridge the personal, social and cultural gap that had persisted since his last visit.For Pepai, it was a return to the Country of his grandmother and father, a tract of desert he had not visited since childhood. Like many Pintupi people of his generation, Pepai was born at the former ration station of Haasts Bluff.

Pepai’s actions were immediately justified by the warm reception he received from the senior men, who welcomed him at Walungurru (Kintore), 500 kilometres west of Alice Springs. Many were inspired by his impassioned quest for knowledge and were in awe of the effort it had taken for him to journey so far." (Text by Luke Scholes)