Derek Jungarrayi Thompson Australian, Pitjantjatjara, b. 1976

Derek Thompson is the grandson of Papunya Tula Artist, Makinti Napanangka. He first came to work at Ernabella Arts over April 2011, during the first men-only ceramic workshop. Everyone was surprised by Derek's drawing on clay and he explained that he draws 'all the time, at home.' Derek is also an avid hunter. The translation of his drawings of the Pukatja landscape and animal life onto ceramics is quite unique and has received instant interest from collectors and curators. In 2012 Derek was selected to be a finalist in the Gold Coast International Ceramic art Award. He also undertook a residency at the Ceramic Workshop of the Australian National University, where he did poetry and printmaking. in 2013 Thompson's work 'Ngintaka Kutjara' was highly commended in the Muswellbrook Art Prize and acquired by Muswellbrook Regional Gallery. Since then his collaborative works with Ngunytjima Carroll have been selected for the NATSIAAs (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards), the Sunshine Coast Art Prize and the City of Hobart Art Prize. Ngunytjima throws tall pots which Derek draws on, using the sgrafitto technique. Thompson and Tjimpuna Williams were awarded a New Work grant by the Australia Council for the Arts and in May 2013 undertook a big pot workshop in Jingdezhen, China. This work was exhibited in March 2014 at Sydney's prestigious Sabbia Gallery. In 2015 he is exhibiting with Sabbia Gallery in Sydney and Canberra as part of the Australian Ceramics Triennale.