Jangyanyka Jimmy Jampijinpa Robertson b. c.1944

Also known as Kumunjayi
  • Artist (Painter)
One of the best known artists at Lajamanu who began painting with the original group in 1986. He participated in the first exhibition of Lajamanu art at Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi in Melbourne, and his work is exhibited internationally.
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Born Yinjirri c.1944-6, he lived at Lajamanu. His country was Waparlingki, north-east of Mt Doreen station and Jila Well, Yunga (a site closely connected to Warlukurlangu – 'after the Warlukurlangu mob sing’), Warntapari (where the Water Dreaming 'finishes up’), Makarrangu (Dog Dreaming, which only Jimmy’s family may paint), Jurntuwarriji (from his grandfather) and Ngurlurlirrinya. The Dreamings he paints are Pamapardu (Flying Ant), Malikijarra (Two Dogs Dreaming), Watiyawarnu, Ngapa and Purruparnta (occasionally). He worked with his wife, Denise Tasman Napangardi , and started painting in 1986 with the original group at Lajamanu. One of the best known painters in Lajamanu, he took dances, songs and paintings to Sydney, Perth and Adelaide, the United States and Paris. He is remembered by some in Paris for taking a trunk full of boomerangs and setting up a roadside stall on one of the main boulevardes – an amazing and colourful individual, who attended the very first exhibition of the Lajamanu artists at the Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi in Melbourne in 1987. He had plans to return to the USA. He lived in Lajamanu with his two wives and nine children, and taught dancing to young boys at Lajamanu school.

Writers:
Johnson, Vivien
Date written:
1994
Last updated:
2011