Artist: Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri
Title: WT 0202018
Size: 244cm x 183cm
Date: 2002
Language Group: Pintupi
Description: This painting illustrates through designs the swamp and rock hole site at Marawa, to the west of Lake Mackay which straddles the Western Australian, Northern Territory border and the Tropic of Capricorn and south of Balgo. This painting relates to the mythical Tingari group and their travels across the country.
Biography of Artist: Warlimpirrnga (pronounced "Warlimpirri") Tjapaltjarri was born about 1958, east of Kiwirrkura in Western Australia's Gibson Desert. In 1984, Warlimpirrnga, his brother Walala and their families, in total a group of eight (including Yukultji Napangati who is also represented in this collection), walked out of the desert making contact for the first time with European society. At the time, this attracted international media attention. Warlimpirrnga brought out of the desert a wealth of knowledge necessary for survival in a harsh environment. This extensive knowledge of desert life, of traditional custom and landform is all articulated in his painting. Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri joined Papunua Tula Artists and commencing paining in 1987. Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri is represented in a number of Australian collections including a significant body of his early works in the National Gallery of Victoria, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Kelton Foundation, USA and the Macquarie Bank Collection.
