Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

Dr George Tjapaltjarri ~ Men of High Degree Catalogue

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 2 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

George Tjapaltjarri or ‘Dr’ George as he became known, was one of several ngangkari (traditional healers – ‘Cleverman’) who was highly respected for his work as a community health worker, who worked in association with the Kintore and Tjukurla Medical Clinics. ‘Dr’ George first came into contact with white society when he walked out of the desert in 1964. His traditional country includes Karrinwarra, which is located west of Kintore and the Kilinga – Wanampa region located west of Jupiter Well. ‘Dr’ George started painting for himself in 1971 and a gallery in mid 70s. Taking a break, he returned to painting in the late 1980s, for art galleries including Gallery Gondwana and on occasion private dealers. He was very much an independent artist. He achieved recognition for his bold, scaled-up designs, his paintings possessing a wonderful rawness and boldness, conveying his strong, continuous association with his traditional country, ceremonies and the application of body paint designs.

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 3 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

Tingari Cycle (2001) Size: 122 x 122 cm Medium: acrylic on linen Catalogue Number: 6429DG Price: AUD Enquire The subject represented in this painting by Dr George is a portion of the highly significant Dreaming event of the Tingari Cycle. The site is Pintalpura (Jupiter Well) in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia, the artist’s traditional country and where the Tingari men performed highly significant Malliera (young men’s initiation) ceremonies. The bold red lines in this painting depict the body paint applied to the youths by the Tingari men, either those of ritual scarification or body paint. This initiation is the first stage of the lifetime commitment to traditional law and the introduction to an understanding of the Tingari Cycle.

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 4 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

1. Dr George Tjapaltjarri — Tingari Cycle (2001)

Tingari Cycle (2001)

Catalogue Number: 6429DG

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 5 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

Tingari Cycle (1999) Size: 198 x 61 cm Medium: acrylic on linen Catalogue Number: 3399DG Price: AUD Enquire The subject represented in this painting by Dr George is a portion of the highly significant Dreaming event of the Tingari Cycle. The site is Pintalpura (Jupiter Well) in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia, the artist’s traditional country and where the Tingari men performed highly significant Malliera (young men’s initiation) ceremonies. The red roundels set against the yellow background and the yellow and white roundels set against the black background symbolize rocky outcrops of the terrain surrounding Ungarla. The work represents a combination of the physical landscape of Ungarla plus the ochre used for the body designs associated with the Tingari Cycle. This contemporary and minimalist depiction by ‘Dr’ George brings together two hallmarks that he is renowned for in the one artwork.

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 6 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

2. Dr George Tjapaltjarri — Tingari Cycle (1999)

Catalogue Number: 3399DG

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 7 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

Tingari Cycle (2000) Size: 61 x 61 cm Medium: acrylic on linen Catalogue Number: 4828DG Price: AUD Enquire The subject represented in this painting by Dr George is a portion of the highly significant Dreaming event of the Tingari Cycle. The site is Pintalpura (Jupiter Well) in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia, the artist’s traditional country and where the Tingari men performed highly significant Malliera (young men’s initiation) ceremonies. The bold white lines in this painting depict the body paint applied to the youths by the Tingari men, either those of ritual scarification or body paint. This initiation is the first stage of the lifetime commitment to traditional law and the introduction to an understanding of the Tingari Cycle.

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 8 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

3. Dr George Tjapaltjarri — Tingari Cycle (2000)

Catalogue Number: 4828DG

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 9 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

Tingari Cycle (2000) Size: 76 x 76 cm Medium: acrylic on linen Catalogue Number: 4299DG Price: AUD Enquire The subject represented in this painting by Dr George is a portion of the highly significant Dreaming event of the Tingari Cycle. The site is Pintalpura (Jupiter Well) in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia, the artist’s traditional country and where the Tingari men performed highly significant Malliera (young men’s initiation) ceremonies. Dr George has shaped the formation of red roundels by using a background of yellow dotting, the painting symbolizing the rocky outcrops of the terrain surrounding Ungarla. This highly contemporary, minimalist depiction by Dr George represents a combination of the physical landscape of Ungarla plus the ochre used for the body designs associated with the Tingari Cycle.

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 10 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

4. Dr George Tjapaltjarri — Tingari Cycle (2000)

Catalogue Number: 4299DG

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 11 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

Malliera Ceremonies (2001) Size: 152 x 91 cm Medium: acrylic on linen Catalogue Number: 6720DG Price: AUD Enquire The subject matter represented by Dr George is a portion of a highly significant Jukurrpa event of the Tingari Cycle. The site is Pintalpura (Jupiter Well) in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia, the artist’s traditional country and where the Tingari men performed Malliera (young men’s initiation) ceremonies. This initiation is the first stage of the lifetime commitment to traditional law and the introduction to an understanding of the Tingari Cycle. The concentric circles in this painting depict the rockholes found in the area, while the use of dotted colour tones represents the crushed ochre that is applied as body paint to the young initiates. The abutting lines connecting the concentric circles denote the travelling paths of the Tingari men as they travel through the area performing ceremonies.

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 12 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

5. Dr George Tjapaltjarri — Malliera Ceremonies (2001)

Catalogue Number: 6720DG

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 13 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

Tingari Cycle - Events at Ungarla (1998) Size: 91 x 91 cm Medium: acrylic on linen Catalogue Number: 3167DG Price: AUD Enquire In this painting the artist depicts the site of Marapirti (west of Kiwirkurra) in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia (the artist’s traditional country). It was here during the Dreaming that a large group of Tingari women gathered for ceremonies. The yellow and white roundels seen in this painting represent both rockhole sites located throughout the countryside as well as women’s ceremonial body design.

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 14 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

6. Dr George Tjapaltjarri — Tingari Cycle - Events at Ungarla (1998)

Catalogue Number: 3167DG

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 15 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

Malliera Initiation Ceremony (2000) Size: 152 x 31 cm Medium: acrylic on linen Catalogue Number: 6109DG Price: AUD Enquire The subject represented in this painting by Dr George is a portion of the highly significant Dreaming event of the Tingari Cycle. The site is Pintalpura (Jupiter Well) in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia, the artist’s traditional country and where the Tingari men performed highly significant Malliera (young men’s initiation) ceremonies. The bold white lines in this painting depict the body paint applied to the youths by the Tingari men, either those of ritual scarification or body paint. This initiation is the first stage of the lifetime commitment to traditional law and the introduction to an understanding of the Tingari Cycle.

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 16 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

7. Dr George Tjapaltjarri — Malliera Initiation Ceremony (2000)

Catalogue Number: 6109DG

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 17 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

Tingari Cycle – Rockholes and Malliera (2001) Size: 152 x 76 cm Medium: acrylic on linen Catalogue Number: 6542DG Price: AUD Enquire At the site of Nyinmi, west of Jupiter Well in the Gibson Desert, the artist depicts the subject of the Tingari Cycle. It was here during the Dreaming when a group of Tingari men gathered in underground caves for ceremonies. In this painting the three concentric circles with white and yellow ochre dotted spirals represent rockholes and underground caves, which are both natural formations found in this area. The abutting U-shapes associated with both of the above denote ceremonial body designs worn by the young initiated men, either those of ritual scarification or body paint.

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 18 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

8. Dr George Tjapaltjarri — Tingari Cycle – Rockholes and Malliera (2001)

Catalogue Number: 6542DG

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 19 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

Malliera Initiation Ceremony (2000) - Diptych Size: 31 x 61 cm Medium: acrylic on linen Catalogue Number: 5303DG Price: AUD Enquire Catalogue Number: 5304DG Price: AUD Enquire The subject represented in this painting by Dr George is a portion of the highly significant Dreaming event of the Tingari Cycle. The site is Pintalpura (Jupiter Well) in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia, the artist’s traditional country and where the Tingari men performed highly significant Malliera (young men’s initiation) ceremonies. The yellow lines in this painting depict the body paint applied to the youths by the Tingari men, either those of ritual scarification or body paint. This initiation is the first stage of the lifetime commitment to traditional law and the introduction to an understanding of the Tingari Cycle.

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 20 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

9. Dr George Tjapaltjarri — Malliera Initiation Ceremony (2000)

Malliera Initiation Ceremony (2000)

Catalogue Number: 5303DG

Malliera Initiation Ceremony (2000)

Catalogue Number: 5304DG

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 21 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

Tingari Cycle (2001) Size: 92 x 92 cm Medium: acrylic on linen Catalogue Number: 6243DG Price: AUD Enquire The subject represented in this painting by Dr George is a portion of the highly significant Dreaming event of the Tingari Cycle. The site is Pintalpura (Jupiter Well) in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia, the artist's traditional country and where the Tingari men performed highly significant Malliera (young men's initiation) ceremonies. This initiation is the first stage of the lifetime commitment to traditional law and the introduction to an understanding of the Tingari Cycle. The concentric circles in this painting depict the rockholes found in the area, while the white dotting represents the crushed daisies which are applied as body paint to the young initiates.

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

Gallery Gondwana – 1 January 2020 22 | P a g e GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

10. Dr George Tjapaltjarri — Tingari Cycle (2001)

Catalogue Number: 6243DG

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

Since events associated with the Tingari Cycle are of a secret and sacred nature few details are given. Generally, the Tingari are a group of men of the Dreaming (creation) era who traveled over vast stretches of the country,

performing rituals and creating and shaping particular sites. It was at Pintalpura that a large group of Tingari ancestors stopped to gather kampararpa (desert raisin - a small fruit which looks somewhat like a small green

tomato) and purra (a powerful antiseptic obtained from the inner bark of the red gum). The Tingari men were accompanied by novices and usually followed by Tingari Women. Their travels and adventures are enshrined in

the song cycles. These legends form part of the teachings of the post initiatory youths today as well as providing explanations for contemporary customs.

Representing Contemporary Aboriginal Art since 1990

GALLERY GONDWANA PO BOX 3770, ALICE SPRINGS, NT, 0871

Ph: +61 417 274 431 • Ph: +61 417 757 475

ACN 009 652 046 • ABN 75 009 652 046

www.gallerygondwana.com.au