Born in the late 1930s deep in Pintupi country in the area of Kulkuta, just across the Northern Territory border in Western Australia, and some of the most isolated country in Central Australia. Anatjari Tjakamarra was part of the original group of “painting men” at Papunya in the early 70s. He and Uta Uta Tjangala were working as school gardeners when the famous Honey Ant mural was painted on the Papunya school wall. Anatjari’s work was meticulous and intense, like the man himself. In the early ’80s Anatjari established Tjukula outstation, between Kintore and Docker River, and was based there for most of the ’80s, selling his work independently of Papunya Tula Artists. In the late ’80s he moved to the new settlement of Kiwirrkura and began painting again for Papunya Tula Artists. Between painting spells, Anatjari pursued other employment, such as maintenance work. His paintings depict Tingari stories including a Snake Dreaming from Kulkuta which travels west through Kiwirrkura, Water, and a Dingo Puppy Dreaming sited around Kintore. In 1989 and 1991 he had solo exhibitions at the Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi in Melbourne. In 1989 he had the first solo exhibition at John Weber’s renowned New York gallery by an Australian Indigenous artist, from which Tingari Cycle Dreaming was purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, one of the world’s major art collections.
- Writers:
- Johnson, Vivien
Note: primary biographer
- Date written:
- 1994
- Last updated:
- 2011
