Fred Tjakamarra b. c.1925

  • Artist (Painter)
Senior Kukatja artist who produced a significant body of work after beginning to paint in the early 1990s. An authoritative member of the Balgo community, he was responsible for Water Dreaming and associated rain ceremonies.

Born near Lappi Lappi (Hidden Basin) Western Australia, c.1925, Fred Tjakamarra was a Kukatja speaker. His country was Ngapakulangu, near Hidden Basin. He was one of a number of Tjakamarra men in the Balgo community responsible for important Water Dreaming sites and associated rain ceremonies in this remote region. A senior man, he took to painting only in 1990, but produced a large body of work for Warlayirti Artists in a short time. He painted Water Dreamings, his works always presenting a strong visual image and communicating also something of the artist’s knowledge and authority in the community.

Writers:
Johnson, Vivien
Note: secondary biographer
Date written:
1994
Last updated:
2011