Tingari - Men's Creation Dreaming | 30h x 30w | RK044
Stretched - no frame | Acrylic on canvas
Thomas (or Tamlik) Tjapaltjarri (b c. 1964-2024) was born near Kiwirrkura in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia. As a member of the Pintupi Nine, known as 'the Last Nomads,' Thomas and his family lived a traditional nomadic lifestyle, having no contact with western people or modern civilization until 1984.
The subjects of his painting are the Tingari (Men's Creation Dreaming) cycle, a series of sacred and mythological songs connected to his birth ground. His 'Tingari' paintings are associated with the Artist's Dreaming sites located throughout the vast sandhill country of the West Australian desert.
It was at Kiwirrkuru that Thomas began to paint on canvas, setting down the stories and images of an unbroken cultural tradition stretching back tens of thousands of years. This style is characterized by its rectangular shapes and lines surrounded by dots. The strength of his work was recognised at once and is very popular today.
His style is strongly gestural and boldly graphic, one that is generally highlighted by a series of rectangles set against a monochrome background.
Provenance
The Artery, Sydney, NSW
Red Kangaroo Gallery, Sydney, NSW
This painting does not come with a photo of the artist holding the work.
