Erlikilyika

Artist and anthropologist His career as an artist started with carving things like local animals and pipe stems from white soapstone (steatite) and selling these carvings to passing travellers. He used simple tools in all of his carving work: penknife, wire and a shearing blade. Museum anthropologist Jason Gibson notes that he "sculpted and decorated objects of wood and kaolin meerschaum clay". It was well-received in the press, (and also mentions that he visited Sydney when he was 15). This was probably the first solo exhibition of an Aboriginal artist in Australia. illustrations and sculptures. The geologist, anthropologist, medical doctor and politician Herbert Basedow bought many of Erlikilyika's works, which are now in the National Museum of Australia, The South Australian Museum holds the biggest collection of Erlikilyika carvings. Photographs and other items from his work with Gillen and Spencer are in collections held by Museums Victoria, and some of his work is on display at the Old Timer's Traeger Museum in Alice Springs. Some of Erlikilyika's work is also held in the Australian Museum in Sydney.

According to Ted Strehlow's genealogical record, his Arrernte name is derived from "Alilkilajaka"; meaning "he slipped" or "glided away"; this refers to the actions of a kite spirit ancestor in a local Dreamtime story, according to Strehlow. The name was translated for Strehlow by the Arrernte and Wangkangurru elder Mick McLean, and has also been spelt Alyelkelhayeka. Gillen's 1875 diary lists a man called "Ar-lee'kill-yicca", and Erkiliakirra seems to be another spelling variation. Spencer wrote it in his diary as Erli-killi-kurra, and Jason Gibson noted that he "was of the Penangk ubsection".

The Australian Dictionary of Biography suggests that as erlia signified emu, his totemic name may relate to an emu ritual area near Charlotte Waters at Adnyultultera waterhole.