Thomas Tjapaltjarri

The Tingari were a group of ancestral beings that emerged from the earth andconducted activities that led to the formation of the landscape and it’s inhabitants.The content of these ancient stories remains the exclusive knowledge of the initiatedmen. The symbols used in this painting are typical of the designs found on Pintupiartefacts such as shields and spear throwers as well as cave paintings and rock petroglyphs. This painting depicts “tali tjuta”- many sandhills of the Marruwa area west of Lake McKay.More specifically the painting refers to a particular site known as Wanapatangu, whichis recorded as being northeast of Wilkinkarra (Lake McKay) in Western Australia. Thisis one of the locations where the Tingari ancestors stopped for ceremonial and socialactivity in their long journey across the desert and now remains as a significantceremony site for the Pintupi men.

Please note that all First Nations Art is created from a so called ‘Birds Eye’ view. This means that the paintings can be hung either horizontally as well as vertically