John John Bennett Tjapangati

A Pintupi speaker, his country is Mukulurru, north of Docker River, the southernmost place visited by Tingari peoplee; also Kulkuta, west of Lake McDonald, Western Australia, another important site on the Tingari route.  He began painting for Papunya Tula Artists in the early ’80s after the Papunya move back to Kintore.  Residence formerly Kintore, then Tjukula.  He passed away after a long illness in December 2002.  Little has been recorded of his life but John John was a well respected elder of the Western Desert communities.  His wife Nurapayai Nampitjinpa (often known as Mrs Bennett) is a highly respected artist who like her husband did in his lifetime paints “the country”.  JJB’s works typically show Tingari journeys or his country.  As with many Aboriginal paintings these works show the country from a bird’s eye view.  He details the sand hills, water sources, rock holes and other significant sites known to him.  The artist had an intimate knowledge of a large area of his country and is possibly the only artist from that area to do such large scale images or maps.   A personal note by Art Mob gallery director Euan Hills:  “I find John John’s works fascinating and comforting.  There is a special quality about them and I rank his work very high on my personal favourite list.  One of his works in particular depicting the sand hill country of Ngintaka was a truly magic painting that had an amazing physiological effect on me whilst it was hanging in the gallery.  I could feel my blood pressure gradually dropping through the day as the painting worked it’s magic on me – I truly miss this lovely work.  I know that he was loved dearly by Mrs Bennett and had a wonderful relationship with one of my colleagues who cared for his health”.  A key artist who did not paint prolifically but whose works are sought after by collectors worldwide.