Stories

Walala, Thomas (Tamayinya) and Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri Warlimpirringa encouraged his brothers to paint and by the late 1990’s all three, along with Dr George Tjapaltjarri, were painting in Alice Springs. I first began working with Walala and Thomas in 2001 and Warlimpirrnga in 2003. Walala spent more time in Alice Springs than Thomas or Warlimpirrnga, who were often in Kiwirrkura (just over the WA border). They liked painting together and appeared to all be...

Today I saw Daisy’s clouds. That is what happens to someone who admiresDaisy Napaltjarri Jugadai’s art, and how she depicts clouds. We see her clouds everywhere and smile. Daisy painted country around her Haasts Bluff home and whilst each painting has a familiarity they are all distinctly unique in their depiction of different areas of her country. Daisy layering her country of Haasts Bluff Range, Atji Creek and Memory Hill (TDNJ 405)...

Behind the scenes at Tingari Arts Before the artists paint their magic, every painting surface must be carefully prepared. At Tingari Arts, this process takes time, patience, and skill. The material used is often called “canvas”, but it is actually Belgian linen, a beautiful and expensive fabric that provides a superior painting surface. My colleague and friend Sonnie Chalmers from Utopia’s Eastern Desert Art and I would jointly purchase large...

When Gloria Petyarre came to paint with Tingari Arts she would usually arrive quietly and settle herself on the floor, sitting cross-legged with her canvas and paints. But before anything began there was always one small request.    “Make me a cup of tea.”    It became our ritual. Gloria would paint, and I would make the tea. Often family members would come and go during the day, sitting nearby...