Tjapaltjarri Warlimpirrnga b. c.1958

Tjapaltjarri was based in country west of Lake Mackay before arriving at Kiwirrkura (WA) in 1984. He began painting for Papunya Tula Artists a few years later with great success, having his first ever 11 paintings acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria. His work is represented in major collections in Australia and overseas.
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Born on a hillside east of Kiwirrkura in the mid to late ’50s, Warlimpirrnga was one of the small party of Pintupi whose arrival in Kiwirrkura in 1984 made national headlines. Until this point, Warlimpirrnga had never encountered Europeans. The group had been following their traditional lifestyle in the country west of Lake Mackay. After three years at the settlement, Warlimpirrnga approached Daphne Williams of Papunya Tula Artists with the request that he be allowed to paint. The other artists instructed him in the use of paint and canvas, and he completed his first painting for the company in April 1987. His first 11 paintings were exhibited in Melbourne at the Gabrielle Pizzi Gallery in 1988, the entire group being purchased for the National Gallery of Victoria. Warlimpirrnga paints Tingari stories for his country, around the sites of Marawa and Kanapilya.

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

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