Takariya Napaltjarri facts for kids

Takariya Napaltjarri (also known as Takirriyanya or Doris) was born around 1960. She is an Indigenous artist from Australia's Western Desert region. Takariya has created art with the famous Papunya Tula artists' group. Her artwork was first shown in 1996. Today, her paintings are part of the collection at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

About Takariya Napaltjarri

Takariya was born in the desert around 1960. Her birthplace was near what is now called Kiwirrkurra Community, Western Australia. This area is close to the border between Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The exact year of her birth is not perfectly known. This is because Indigenous Australians often track time differently. They might compare dates to other important events.

Understanding Skin Names

'Napaltjarri' is a special name called a 'skin name'. It's used by Indigenous people in central Australia. These names help show how people are related to each other. They also help decide who people can marry. Skin names are not like surnames that Europeans use. So, 'Takariya' is her unique personal name.

Takariya's Family Life

Takariya's mother was Papalya Nangala. Her father was Waku Tjungurrayi. Her father chose to avoid contact with Europeans. Because of this, her family did not move into a settlement until 1984. Takariya's father passed away not long after she was born. She has siblings, including her older brother Warlimpirrnga Tjapaljarri. Her older sister, Topsy Gibson Napaljarri, is also an artist. Takariya married Freddy West Tjakamarra first. Later, they separated. She then married Richard Tjakamarra and they had a daughter named Tatiga.

Takariya's Art Journey

The Start of Desert Art

Modern Indigenous art from the western desert began in 1971. Indigenous men at Papunya started painting with help from a teacher named Geoffrey Bardon. They used acrylic paints to create designs. These designs often showed body painting and ground sculptures. This art style quickly spread across central Australia. A government art program in 1983 helped it grow even more. By the 1980s and 1990s, this art was shown all over the world.

At first, only men were the artists. Many Pintupi men in central Australia did not want women to paint. However, many women wanted to join in. In the 1990s, many Indigenous women began creating paintings. In communities like Kintore, Yuendumu, and Balgo, people started making art specifically to sell and show.

Takariya's Art Career

In 1996, Takariya's art was part of the Papunya Women exhibition. This group show was held at Utopia Art Gallery in Sydney. In 1997, her work was in the Bulada exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. She has painted for Warlayirti Artists at Balgo. She also painted for Papunya Tula. This is a leading Indigenous art company started by artists in the 1970s.

Her art was also shown in 2007. This was at an exhibition of Papunya Tula paintings at Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi. Western Desert artists often paint specific 'dreamings'. These are stories that they are responsible for. Takariya paints her mother's Minyma Kutjarra (Two Women) Dreaming. This story is about her country. This country is south of Kiwirrkurra. It includes places like Marrapinti and Ngaminya rockhole. It also includes Wirrulnga rockhole. This is where the Tingari Women traveled east towards Wilkinkarra.

Works by Takariya are held by the Art Gallery of New South Wales. They are also in a private American collection. This collection belongs to the Kelton Foundation.

Art Collections

• Art Gallery of New South Wales
• Kelton Foundation