Possum Tjapangati b. c.1940

  • Artist (Painter)
Walmatjari artist who painted for Warlayirti Artists from Billiluna in the late 1980s, until his passing in 1989. His paintings are unusual for the Balgo region and are more similar in style to Kimberley Art.

Born 'in the bush’ near Godfrey’s Tank on the Canning Stock Route c.1940. His death in 1989 robbed the community of Billiluna, where he had lived, of a gentle, quiet man who was a good artist. Possum was a Walmatjari speaker, whose country was around Kaningarra (Godfrey’s Tank). His principal Dreaming was Water. He began painting for Warlayirti Artists in 1988. His style was less typical of Balgo and more similar to other Kimberley art (especially Turkey Creek and Fitzroy Crossing). It was simple, obviously deeply felt, sometimes with human figures and usually surrounded by a pattern of hills.

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