Mick Wikilyiri Australian, Pitjantjatjara, b. c.1940

Mick grew up in Amata. Mick said, 'Amata his country'.  When he was a young man, Mick worked as a cattleman, 'ringer' or stockman at various cattlestations in the region, including Curtain Springs Station which is approximately 130 km north of Amata, around Alice Springs and Timber Creek.  Mick said (referring to Timber Creek), "getting that bullock - good work there!"  Mick said, "workin' at station, riding horse, breakin' horse, makin' fence, tank, windmill.  He also worked at Kenmore Park, east of Amata and Kalka, west of Amata when the land belonged to the Whitefellas, before it was returned to Anangu Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara.  He said he was asked to come back to Musgrave Park Station (now Amata) to work because he was a good worker.  Mick said when he finished working he 'stopped' back at Amata, "young fella then, married that woman".  Mick had never painted using acrylic and canvas before coming to work at Tjala Arts (formerly Minymaku Arts).