Takariya Napaltjarri facts for kids

Takariya Napaltjarri, also known as Takirriyanya or Doris, is an amazing Indigenous artist from Australia. She was born around 1960 in the Western Desert. Takariya paints with the famous Papunya Tula artists' group. Her artwork was first shown in 1996. You can find her paintings in important places like the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

About Takariya's Life

Takariya was born around 1960 or 1965. She was born in the desert near a place called Kiwirrkurra. This area is on the border of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The exact year she was born is not perfectly known. This is because Indigenous Australians often track time differently. They might remember events by comparing them to other big things that happened.

What is a Skin Name?

'Napaltjarri' is a special name called a 'skin name'. Indigenous people in central Australia use these names. They help show how people are related to each other. There are sixteen different skin names. They help decide who people can marry. They can also be linked to special animal or plant totems. People might use them when talking to each other. But they are not like last names that Europeans use. So, 'Takariya' is her unique personal name.

Her Family

Takariya's mother was Papalya Nangala. Her father was Waku Tjungurrayi. Her family lived a traditional life in the desert for many years. Takariya's father passed away not long after she was born. She has brothers and sisters. Her older brother is Warlimpirrnga Tjapaljarri. Her older sister is Topsy Gibson Napaljarri, who is also an artist. Takariya married Freddy West Tjakamarra. Later, they separated. She then married Richard Tjakamarra and they had a daughter named Tatiga.

Takariya's Art

How Desert Art Started

Modern Indigenous art from the Western Desert began in 1971. Indigenous men at Papunya started painting. A teacher named Geoffrey Bardon helped them. They used bright acrylic paints. Their art showed designs from body painting and ground sculptures. This new art quickly spread. It became popular across central Australia. A government art program started in 1983. By the 1980s and 1990s, this art was shown all over the world.

At first, only men painted. There was some hesitation for women to paint. But many women wanted to create art too. In the 1990s, many Indigenous women started painting. In places like Kintore and Yuendumu, people began making art. They created these artworks especially to show and sell.

Her Art Career

In 1996, Takariya's art was in a show called Papunya Women. This was at the Utopia Art Gallery in Sydney. In 1997, her work was part of the Bulada exhibition. This show was at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. She has painted for Warlayirti Artists at Balgo. She also paints for Papunya Tula. This is a very important Indigenous art company. It was started by Indigenous artists in the 1970s. Her paintings were in a Papunya Tula exhibition in 2007. This was at Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi.

Western Desert artists often paint special 'dreamings'. These are stories that they are responsible for. Takariya paints her mother's Minyma Kutjarra (Two Women) Dreaming. This is for her country. It includes places like Marrapinti and Ngaminya rockhole. It also includes Karilwara rockhole and Wirrulnga rockhole. These are all important places in her family's traditional lands.

Takariya's artworks are held in important collections. You can see them at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. They are also in a private collection in America. This collection is called the Kelton Foundation.

Collections

• Art Gallery of New South Wales
• Kelton Foundation