Tjunkiya Napaljarri Australia (Aboriginal), 1927-2009
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About Tjunkiya Napaljarri
Tjunkiya Napaljarri was an Indigenous Australian artist from the Warlpiri language group, located in the remote central desert region of Australia. She was born in 1927, and grew up living a traditional nomadic lifestyle in the desert. Napaljarri began painting in the late 1980s, and quickly gained recognition for her unique and striking style. Her paintings often feature bold geometric patterns and bright, contrasting colors that reflect the landscape and cultural traditions of the Warlpiri people. Throughout her career, Napaljarri's art was exhibited widely both in Australia and internationally. Her work was featured in several major exhibitions, including the National Gallery of Victoria, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. One of Napaljarri's most famous works is a painting titled "Ngalyipi Jintangkardi", which depicts the story of a sacred bush medicine plant used by Warlpiri women. The painting is now held in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia. In addition to her artistic career, Napaljarri was also a respected cultural leader within her community. She was a traditional healer and held important cultural knowledge about Warlpiri traditions and practices. Napaljarri passed away in 2009.
The earliest auction listing we have for Tjunkiya Napaljarri is in 2000 and in total 117 works by the artist have been offered for sale, of which 66 (56%) were sold. The highest price recorded for the artist is $24,545 for Women At The Rockhole Site of Umari sold by Deutscher and Hackett in March 2023. This year 2 works have been offered for sale. Works by Tjunkiya Napaljarri are held by the National Gallery of Victoria, National Gallery of Australia and a further two major public national galleries (see list below).
Tjunkiya Napaljarri is listed in the following standard biographical references:
- McCulloch, Alan McCulloch, Susan McCulloch, Emily McCulloch-Childs. The New McCulloch's Encyclopedia of Australian Art. 4th Edition, Aus Art Melbourne & The Miegunyah Press, 2006. Page 84
- Australian Prints + Printmaking, a database listing printmaking artists from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region based on the print collection of the National Gallery of Australia.
Artists' Resale Royalty
Could the second and subsequent works by this artist sold after June 9, 2010 for over $1,000 be liable for the Artists' Resale Royalty? More info…
Yes, eligible, subject to the artist satisfying the residency test. The artist is alive or has been deceased for less than 70 years. Contact the Copyright Agency for information on the residency test.
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