The Last Tribe: A Masterpiece by the Tjapaltjarri Brothers
Title: Collaboration Tingari Painting
Artists: Warlimpirrnga, Thomas & Walala Tjapaltjarri
Size: 203cm x 104cm
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Price: POA (Price on Application)
The Last Nomads of the Desert
This extraordinary Collaboration Tingari Painting is more than just a work of art—it is a powerful symbol of survival, tradition, and cultural resilience. Painted by three brothers, Warlimpirrnga, Thomas, and Walala Tjapaltjarri, this piece represents the enduring legacy of the Pintupi people and the sacred Dreaming stories of their Country.
The Tjapaltjarri brothers are members of the famous Pintupi Nine, a group of Aboriginal Australians who lived a completely traditional, nomadic lifestyle in the remote Gibson Desert until 1984. Their emergence into modern society made international headlines, and they became widely known as “The Last Nomads” or “The Lost Tribe.” Despite the abrupt shift in lifestyle, the brothers have carried their ancestral knowledge and cultural memory into the world of contemporary art, gaining international recognition for their work.
The Tingari Cycle: A Sacred Narrative
The subject of this painting, the Tingari Cycle, is one of the most profound and sacred elements of Western Desert culture. Tingari refers to the ancestral beings who traveled vast distances across the land, creating sacred sites, shaping the landscape, and initiating laws and customs that continue to guide Pintupi life today.
Through bold geometric forms, linear motifs, and traditional dotting techniques, the Tjapaltjarri brothers map the spiritual geography of their ancestral Country. Their work depicts ceremonial sites, sandhills, rockholes, and other culturally significant features in a visual language that is both ancient and strikingly modern.
This painting invites viewers into a powerful narrative that extends back tens of thousands of years. Every dot, line, and shape is an embodiment of sacred knowledge passed down through generations.
The Artists and Their Unique Styles
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri is celebrated for his mesmerising, optical style. His works often feature fluid lines and intricate dotting that create a sense of movement and depth, reflecting the energy and stories of the land. His pieces have been collected by major institutions including the National Gallery of Victoria and the Musée du quai Branly in Paris.
Thomas Tjapaltjarri began painting in the early 2000s. His style is bold and raw, characterised by a confident use of rectangles, dots, and blocks of colour that symbolise the sacred sites and journeys of the Tingari ancestors. Thomas’ art is deeply personal, drawn from his lived experience of Country and culture. Thomas sadly passed away in September 2024, making this collaboration even more rare and irreplaceable. Works featuring all three brothers can no longer be created, significantly increasing the cultural and collectible value of this painting.
Walala Tjapaltjarri developed a dynamic and abstracted form of Pintupi art. His use of rectangular grids and strong lines set against vibrant backgrounds creates a contemporary aesthetic grounded in traditional storylines. Walala’s works have been exhibited extensively across Australia, Europe, and the United States.
Last Tribe Brothers Collaboration – Tingari Dreaming by Warlimpirrnga, Thomas & Walala Tjapaltjarri | Available at Gallery Australia
A Rare and Powerful Collaboration
Collaborations between these three artists are extremely rare and highly prized. This particular work harmonises their individual styles into a unified visual narrative that pays homage to their shared heritage and the sacred knowledge of the Tingari ancestors.
For collectors, this painting is a unique opportunity to own a piece of Aboriginal art history that represents not only artistic excellence but also a living link to one of the oldest continuous cultures on Earth. As Thomas Tjapaltjarri has now passed, collaborative works like this can never be created again.
Interested in this remarkable artwork?
📩 Enquire now to learn more or arrange a private viewing.
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Phone: +61 417 642 921
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