Tjungkara Ken Australia (Aboriginal), 1969-.

Tjungkara Ken is an Indigenous Australian artist from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands in South Australia. She was born in the 1970s and grew up in a remote desert community. Ken began painting in the early 2000s, and quickly gained recognition for her bold and vibrant canvases. Her art often incorporates traditional Anangu iconography and symbolism, but with a modern and expressive twist. Ken is a member of the art collective Iwantja Arts, which is based in the APY lands. The collective provides support and resources to Indigenous artists, and helps to promote and exhibit their work both in Australia and internationally. In 2017, Ken was a finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize for portraiture, for her painting of fellow Indigenous artist Betty Kuntiwa Pumani. The painting was praised for its bold use of color and striking composition. Ken's work has been exhibited in several major galleries and museums in Australia, including the Art Gallery of South Australia, the National Museum of Australia, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. In addition to her artistic career, has worked closely with the South Australian government to help preserve Indigenous languages and traditions, and is a vocal advocate for the empowerment of Indigenous women.

Our database records art auction sales of works by Tjungkara Ken from 2012 and in total 17 works by the artist have been offered for sale, of which 15 (88%) were sold. The highest price recorded for the artist is $18,000 for Ngayuku Nguru (My Country) sold by Bonhams in May 2012. No works have been offered for sale this year, and the last sale we have recorded for the artist was in 2023. Works by Tjungkara Ken are held by the Art Gallery of South Australia, National Gallery of Victoria and a further two major public national galleries (see list below).