George Tjapaltjarri b. c.1950

Also known as Jampu, Dr George
  • Artist (Painter)
Pintupi artist and Aboriginal doctor who lived at Papunya, Yuendumu, Balgo and Walungurru (Kintore) before settling back in Kiwirrkura, near where he was born. He painted for Papunya Tula Artists from the early 1980-90s and also worked in community health in Kintore and Kiwirrkura. His work is held in major public art collections.

Born south-west of Jupiter Well near the site of present day Kiwirrkura, WA, in the early 1940s. George first came out of the desert in to Papunya with his family in 1964 and spent some time in Papunya in the 1960s where he was initiated. He later lived at Balgo and Yuendumu, then settled at Kintore after the establishment of the settlement in the early ’80s, taking up a position as a community health worker. An Aboriginal doctor, he began painting for Papunya Tula Artists while attached to Kintore Clinic (hence 'Dr George.’) He later lived at Kiwirrkura, working for the health service there. He began painting for Papunya Tula Artists at Kintore in the early 1980s after watching the other artists at work and continued painting in Kiwirrkura. His paintings depicted Tingari stories from this area.

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