Norman Tjampitjinpa Kelly b. c.1938

  • Artist (Painter)
A Warlpiri artist and senior man at Mt Liebig (NT) where he occasionally painted for Papunya Tula Artists in the mid 1980s. He primarily painted independently for freelance dealers and, for some time, the Centre for Aboriginal Artists. His work is represented in major public and private collections.
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Born 'in the bush’ c.1938 to the north of Mt Liebig and about five miles (8 km) south of present day Yuendumu, Norman Kelly is one of the senior men of the Mt Liebig community, where he and his wife, Lily Kelly , live with their family. After years working as a stockman, mustering cattle all across the Centre, Norman began painting occasionally for Papunya Tula Artists in the mid ’80s when the company began to service the artists at Mt Liebig. A Warlpiri speaker, Norman’s country lies around Mt Leibig (Amunturangu), 80 kms west of Papunya and further north. His father’s country lies in Warlpiri territory around Waylilimpa and he paints Bush Potato,Watanuma (Flying Ant), Mulga Tree and other Bush Tucker stories, Watia Wanu (Women with Digging Stick and Coolamon at Mt Liebig) Dreamings. Norman’s paintings are now usually sold through the Centre for Aboriginal Artists or freelance art dealers. He is the stepson of Paddy Tjangala, and step brother of Sandra Nampitjinpa , Sonder Turner and Petra Nampitjinpa . Of late, his output has slowed, possibly related to problems of distribution experienced in the Mt Liebig community over the past few years. His sister, Diana Marshall Nampitjinpa, also about the same age as Norman, has also painted occasionally – mainly Bushfire and 'Lover Boy’ Dreamings, which she sold through the Centre for Aboriginal Artists in Alice Springs. Norman’s work was shown at the Gauguin Museum, Tahiti in 1988. Collections: Flinders University Art Museum, Holmes à Court, Australian Museum, Sydney.

Writers:
Johnson, Vivien Note: Primary biographer.
Date written:
1994
Last updated:
2011

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