Three Brothers

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 at ease as they focused on their own work whilst applauding each other’s paintings.

In early August 2005 they decided they would like to do a large joint painting.
So I prepared a 3m by 1.8m linen canvas.

They all painted the Tingari Story with Thomas and Warlimpirrnga also sharing Men’s Business Story. This story was going to be the Tingari Story.

The canvas was divided into three with chalk and in August 2005 Thomas decided he would begin. 

Walala Tjapaltjarri painting the mid section of the Three Brother Tingari artwork

Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri painting the canvas section

Each would come into Tingari Arts when they felt like it and I would unroll the canvas, retrieve the paints and brushes and the painting grew. One of them may do a little or a lot of their section, have a rest, continue or say they will be back soon. Soon was sometimes months! At no stage did two work on the canvas at the same time. They gave each other space to depict their ancestral story in their own time and own way.

Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri painting his section of the Tingari artwork

And eight months later, in March 2006, the masterpiece was proudly completed by Warlimpirrnga. They had all done the Tingari Story in their own connected signature way.

Here is the finished magic.

Walala, Thomas (Tamayinya) and Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri TWWT 601