Description

Extended Data

DAAO URL

https://www.daao.org.au/bio/dinny-tjampitjinpa-nolan

Birth Place

Yuendumu, NT, Australia

Biography

Dinny’s date of birth has been put as far back as 1922 or even earlier and as far forward as 1944. The artist said that he survived the Coniston massacre of 1928, which would lend credence to the earlier date. He was born close to present-day Yuendumu and spent many years working as a stockman across the Territory before settling in Papunya in the mid ’70s. A senior custodian for the Warlpiri people, he is officially recognised as leader of rainmaking and Water Dreaming ceremonies and is well-known for his powerful singing voice. Encouraged by his cousins Clifford Possum and Billy Stockman , and 'brother’ Kaapa Tjampitjinpa , Dinny joined the painting group in the mid 1970s. In 1977 he travelled to Melbourne for a show of Papunya Tula Artists at the Realities Gallery, staying with artist Trevor Nickolls. In 1981 Dinny visited Sydney with Paddy Carroll to construct one of the first sand paintings seen outside of Central Australia. The same year he executed a print at the Victorian Print Workshop. In 1988 he and Maxie Tjampitjinpa were Artists-in-Residence at the Wagga Wagga City Art Gallery. He also painted for the Centre for Aboriginal Artists in Alice Springs during the late 1980s and 1990s. His Dreamings include Water, Willy Willy, Pelican, Bush Turkey, Emu, Goanna and Bushfire. Writers: Johnson, Vivien Note: primary biographer Date written: 1994 Last updated: 2011

Born

b. c.1930

Summary

Joined Papunya painting group in the mid 1970s with encouragement from his cousins Billy Stockman and Clifford Possum and his 'brother' Kaapa Tjampitjinpa. He went on to travel and exhibit with the company both in Australia and internationally and also to work independently.

Gender

Male

Died

None listed

Age at death

None listed