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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

The Gallery’s Acknowledgement of Country, and information on culturally sensitive and restricted content and the use of historic language in the collection can be found here.

Iwantja Rock N Roll

2024
Kunmanara (Tiger) Yaltangki

synthetic polymer paint on linen (overall: 167.2 cm x 149.9 cm)
Image not available (NC)

Kunmanara (Tiger) Yaltangki was a revered Yankunytjatjara artist from the Indulkana Community on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in the remote north-west of South Australia. Renowned for his love of music, Yaltangki’s vibrantly coloured paintings fuse Indulkana life with popular culture, creating dynamic constellations of symbols and characters drawn from lived experience, imagination and mythology. Iwantja Rock N Roll is a self portrait fused with a tribute to one of the artist’s favourite bands: AC/DC. Formed by Scottish-born brothers Angus and Malcolm Young in Sydney in 1973, AC/DC have had an indelible influence on the Australian and international music industry. The band’s frenetic worship of the electric guitar was a major inspiration for Yaltangki, who pays homage with his own bright green version. The artist’s presence in the work is marked by his signature akubra hat, which he would wear daily and physically paint on in the studio. By placing the hat next to the AC/DC logo, Yaltangki creates a portrait of himself alongside his favourite band, incorporating himself into their world, and them into his own.

Purchased 2025

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Artist and subject

Kunmanara (Tiger) Yaltangki (age 51 in 2024)

Related portraits

1. Kunmanara (Tiger) Yaltangki, 2021. All Robert Fielding.
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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

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