About Tingari Arts
A Gallery Dedicated to Western Desert Aboriginal Art
Tingari Arts is an Australian gallery specialising in Western Desert Aboriginal art,
founded in 2002 by Linx Macpherson following her relocation to Alice Springs in 2000.
Working directly with Aboriginal artists and their families, Tingari Arts developed
long-term relationships grounded in trust, cultural respect, and shared creative practice.
Artists and Collaborations
Tingari Arts has worked with many significant Aboriginal artists including Walala Tjapaltjarri, Pansy Napangati, Gloria Petyarre, Kathleen Petyarre, Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, Thomas Tjapaltjarri, George Ward Tjungurrayi, Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, Mitjili Napurrula, and many others represented throughout this website.
Painting Practice and Cultural Context
Artists and family members would gather to paint while sharing Dreaming stories connected to the artworks. These ancestral narratives, passed down through
generations, form the foundation of Western Desert painting traditions.
In some instances, artists sang stories in language while painting, maintaining
cultural continuity between artwork, Country, and ancestral knowledge.
Materials and Preparation
Most paintings are created on Belgian linen prepared by Linx Macpherson using
multiple layers of gesso and premium acrylic paints.
Acrylic painting has been widely used by Western Desert artists
since the emergence of the Western Desert Art Movement in the early 1970s.
Ongoing Connection to Central Australia
Between 2000 and 2018 Linx travelled extensively across Central Australia,
visiting artists in communities and outstations.
Although now based in New South Wales, she continues to maintain
strong cultural relationships and regularly returns to the region.
Her initiated name is Nungurrayi.
Collaboration with Eastern Desert Art
Tingari Arts works closely with Eastern Desert Art to support and promote Western and Eastern Desert Aboriginal artists through exhibitions in Australia and internationally. This collaboration connects the work of Sarah-Jane Holden (UK representative for Tingari Arts and Eastern Desert Art), Linx Macpherson (Tingari Arts), and Sonja Chalmers (Eastern Desert Art).
Exhibitions and Recognition
Tingari Arts has exhibited Aboriginal artworks throughout Australia
and internationally, including Italy, the United Kingdom, and Singapore.
Tingari Arts is a member of the Aboriginal Art Association of Australia.
Industry Recognition
Art historian, dealer and author Adrian Newstead wrote the following about Linx Macpherson in his history of the Australian Aboriginal art trade:
“Artists living outside their communities are free to move from one dealer to the next,
until they feel comfortable working. Many dealers enjoy the company of artists and their families and treat them well during the time they are together.
A number of these dealers are loved by Aboriginal people because, unlike many city dealers, they tend to the artists’ daily needs.
Hugh Warden, Steve Ariston, Jo Doyle, Linx Macpherson and Steve Nibbs are just a few of the many Alice Springs residents who have developed small businesses over the years, supporting individual artists who relied upon them for regular income.”
Reference: Adrian Newstead, The Dealer is the Devil: An Insider's History of the Aboriginal Art Trade. Brandl & Schlesinger, 2014, p. 439.
This acknowledgement appears in Adrian Newstead's history of the Australian Aboriginal art trade and recognises Linx Macpherson among a group of independent dealers who developed long-term working relationships with Aboriginal artists and their families.
(L-R) Sarah-Jane Holden (Tingari Arts and Eastern Desert Art UK representative), Linx Macpherson (Tingari Arts), and Sonja Chalmers (Eastern Desert Art).
(L-R) Sarah-Jane Holden with artists Gladdy Kemarre (dec) and Susan Pitjara Hunter at Redgum, Utopia.