Doctor George Tjapaltarri

‘Dr’ George Tjapaltjarri is a Pintupi artist working in a highly contemporary style. His paintings possess a boldness, conveying his strong, continuous association with his traditional country, ceremonies and the application of body paint designs. His paintings convey his authority and confidence. They map both the land and the human canvas, providing a minimalist representation traversing the terrain and detailed, close-up views of ochre on skin. His subjects are that of Tingari Cycle and Snake Dreaming. He has been represented in major Australian exhibitions and his works have been acquired by public and private collections both in Australia and internationally. He now lives at Kwirrikurra, west of Kintore, having lost his sight.

‘Dr’ George first came into contact with white society when he and his family walked out of the western desert in 1964. As a traditional Aboriginal medicine man, he has worked in association with the Kintore and Tjukurla Medical Clinics, hence the name ‘Dr’ George.

‘Dr’ George’s paintings refer to the Tingari cycle, when a group of Ancestral beings travelled his country calling into existence the features and Beings of the landscape. This country is continually revitalised – through song, ritual dance, ceremonies and paintings – by the traditional owners of the land, of whom ‘Dr’ George is one of the senior custodians. His traditional country includes Karrinwarra, west of Kintore and the Kilinga – Wanampa region located west of Jupiter Well in the Gibson Desert.’Dr’ George’s paintings refer to the Tingari Cycle, when a group of ancestral beings travelled the country the natural features of the landscape. The country is continually revitalised in this way – through song, ritual dance, ceremonies and painting – by the traditional owners of the land, of whom ‘Dr’ George is one of the most respected senior custodians.

Sacred Sites for which he is custodian includes; Nyinmi and Karrinwarra, west of Kintore and the Kilinga – Wanampa region located west of Jupiter Well in the Gibson Desert.

Since events associated with the Tingari Cycle are of a secret and sacred nature no further details are given. Generally, the Tingari men were followed by Tingari Women and accompanied by novices. Their travels and adventures are enshrined in a number of song cycles. These mythologies form part of the teachings of the post-initiatory youths, as well as providing explanations for contemporary customs.