HILARY TJAPALTJARRI
Hilary Tjapaltjarri (1941–2017)
Untitled, 2015
107 x 28cm. Acrylic on linen canvas.
ARTIST
Hilary Tjapaltjarri was born about 1941 at Mintjilpirri near Kintore in the Northern Territory. Hilary worked as a stockman for many years and became interested in painting when he saw the painting of the Papunya Tula Artists in 1970. It wasn't until 1985 that Tjapaltjarri began painting regularly for the Papunya Tula Artists.
Tjapaltjarri was also one of the artists working to support his community's need for dialysis services, reducing the need for patients to be separated from family, culture, and traditional lands, which only adds to the emotional distress and cultural disconnection.
Hilary Tjapaltjarri participated in creating the Kintore Men's Painting, which was sold during the Western Desert Dialysis Appeal in Sydney in 2000. The proceeds from this event enabled the establishment of a new model of dialysis care on Country. Additionally, one of his paintings adorns the back of the Purple Truck, a mobile dialysis unit operated by the Purple House organisation.
Tjapaltjarri's paintings are characterised by intricate dot work and symbolic representations, capturing the essence of Pintupi culture. His art has been showcased in various exhibitions and is held in esteemed collections, including the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art.
ART
Tjapaltjarri focuses on traditional narratives and Dreaming stories associated with his heritage. His works often depicted the Snake Dreaming, reflecting the sacred sites of his homeland.
His paintings also depict Tingari designs associated with sacred sites in his ancestral lands.