Thomas Tjapaltjarri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Tjapaltjarri
|
|
|---|---|
| Born |
Tamayinya Tjapangati
c. 1964 Marruwa, Western Australia
|
| Nationality | Australian |
| Other names | Tamlik |
| Occupation | Painter |
| Years active | late 1980s – present |
| Organization | Papunya Tula |
| Style | Western Desert art |
| Parent(s) | Lanti, or "Joshua" (father) Nanu Nangala (mother) |
| Relatives | Yalti Napangati Yukultji Napangati Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri Walala Tjapangati Topsy Napaltjarri Takariya Napaltjarri |
Thomas Tjapaltjarri is a famous Australian Aboriginal artist. He was born with the name Tamayinya Tjapangati and is also called Tamlik. Thomas and his brothers, Warlimpirrnga and Walala, are known as the Tjapaltjarri Brothers. His family was the very last group of Aboriginal people to meet modern European society. They came out of the desert in 1984. People called them "the last nomads" because they lived a traditional desert life.
Contents
Early Life in the Desert
Thomas Tjapaltjarri was born in the desert of Western Australia. This was around the 1960s. He and his family lived a traditional nomadic life. This means they moved from place to place. They lived on the western side of Lake Mackay.
His family had never met people from European society. Most other Pintupi families had moved into towns. This happened in the 1950s. Thomas's father, Lanti (also called "Joshua"), had lived in a mission town for a short time. But he decided to go back to the desert. He kept his family far away from towns.
Thomas's mother was Nanu. He also had two other mothers, Papunya and Watjunka. They were his father's other wives. He had two younger sisters, Yalti and Yukultji. He also had a younger half-brother, Walala. Four other cousins were like his siblings.
His father passed away around 1980. In October 1984, his family finally met outsiders. They then settled in a place called Kiwirrkurra. This event was big news at the time. The family became famous as "the last nomads." Soon after, Thomas was found to have epilepsy.
Painting Career
Thomas Tjapaltjarri started painting in December 1987. This was a few years after he settled in Kiwirrkurra. His cousin Warlimpirrnga was already a well-known artist. He encouraged Thomas to start painting too.
Thomas and Walala joined the Papunya Tula artists. They, along with Warlimpirrnga, became famous. They are known around the world as the Tjapaltjarri Brothers. Thomas usually uses Tjapaltjarri as his last name for his art. But his traditional skin name is Tjapangati.
Artistic Style and Themes
Thomas's paintings tell stories from the Pintupi Dreaming. These stories are about special places and events. They often show parts of the Tingari cycle. This is a group of myths about the ancestors of the Pintupi people.
His art designs are inspired by patterns. These patterns are painted on the body during traditional ceremonies. He uses acrylic paints on canvas. He often chooses earthy colors like black, white, and ochres. He paints simple shapes with dotted lines. This is a style that his brothers also use in their art.
Exhibitions and Recognition
Thomas Tjapaltjarri's paintings have been shown in many exhibitions. These shows have been all around Australia. His art has also been displayed in other countries. These include Switzerland, Germany, France, and the United States.
His larger paintings can sell for a lot of money. In Alice Springs, they sell for at least A$6000. In galleries in Melbourne and Sydney, they can sell for A$9500 or more.
