Walala Tjapaltjarri / Tingari

A Pintupi artist and member of the Pintupi Nine who lived a nomadic desert life until 1984. His bold geometric artworks map Tingari journeys, rockholes and ceremonial sites through rhythmic rectangles, bands of dots and restrained colour. He was a finalist in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards for four consecutive years from 1997 to 2000, and his wider practice was exhibited across Australia as well as in the United Kingdom, United States, France and Switzerland.

In October 1984, Walala was one of nine members of his lineage who came into contact with the community of Kiwirrkurra and encountered non-Indigenous Australian society for the first time. After settling at Kiwirrkurra, Walala was encouraged to paint by his older brother Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, who had already begun translating the ancient Tingari narratives of their Country onto canvas.