Sam Juparulla Wickman was born in Alice Springs in 1952. The traditional country of his father is the Arrernte Nation of Central Australia and Sam is a full blooded member of the tribe.
His mother was a full initiated member of the Luritja, Pitjantatjarra and Yankuntjatjarra people, located south of Alice Springs. Both Sam’s mother and father were fluent speakers of many of the indigenous languages throughout the central desert. Sam’s father was an Arrernte and Luritja man with strong roots to Mbarntu Country ( The area of Alice Springs).
Sam was sent away from Alice Springs in 1966 and he undertook his secondary education in Sydney. He was then moved to Kirrinari Boys Hostel at Sylvania Hights in the Souhterland Shire, where he attended Gymea High School. Sam completed year 10 and then went on to complete a trade certificate in Motor Body Building at the Sydney Technical College in 1974. Sam played rugby league for the Sylvania Hight’s Club, Australian Rules for the Saint George Football Club, and then went on to be an amateur boxer where he represented Australia overseas. Sam eventually turned professional where he rose to become the number four middleweight in Australia. Sam also coached and played both Rugby League and Australian rules in Darwin, and also represent the Northern Territory in Rugby League.
After a 15 year career in the public service, initially in Canberra, and then in the Northern Territory, he undertook academic studies after working extensively in the Aboriginal Community in northern Australia. He went on to enroll in university in 1988 where he later graduated with honours at the Australian National University, majoring in Archaeology. Sam is presently studying as a PostGraduate Student at La Trobe University. He works as a research assistant at the Centre For Australian Indigenous Studies at Monash University in Melbourne.
Sam is a Wati (fully initiated man) from Central Australia, and his art reflects this.
Sam and his partner Nicky have two lovely sons Leeroy Jagamarra and Sam Jagamarra.
