Thomas Tjapaltjarri
D.O.B
c.1964
Birthsite
Marruwa,Lake Mackay,W.A.
Language
Pintupi
Historical
Thomas was a member of the last group of Pintupi people to come in from the Gibson Desert of Western Australia in 1984. The “group of nine” as they become known, were reunited with relatives they had not seen for twenty five years. Thomas has two “brothers”; Walala who is a blood brother and Warlimpirringa is a skin brother, also three sisters Yalti and Yukultji and Tjakaria .
Painting
Thomas began painting in 1987, along with his “brothers” Walala and Warlimpirrnga. His designs are based on the sacred rituals of “Tingari” These refer to activities that took place during the time of creation referred to as “Tjukurrpa”. The Tingari stories provide the foundation for the tribal beliefs of the Pintupi people. Many of the stories relate to the sacred sites around the Lake Mackay region known as Maruwa. Although there are some discrepancies it is generally agreed that these stories cover an area from east to west referred to as Kakarrara and Wilurrara.
