| Surname / Family Name | Tjampitjinpa |
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| Given Name | Ronnie |
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| Location | Western Desert |
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| Born | 1942 |
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Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, a grand master of the art movement, was born around 1943 near Muyinnga in the Western Desert region. His family, adhering to traditional Pintupi ways for over 40,000 years, traversed the Northern Territory. Initiated into manhood in the early 1950s, he later moved to Papunya due to drought and worked as a fencer.
Becoming interested in the burgeoning art scene, Tjampitjinpa played a role in the establishment of the Kintore settlement in 1981 to reconnect with traditional lands. His art reflects a deep connection to his culture, maintaining a unique purity through the Pintupi style of circles and lines that represent the people, land, and Dreamtime. His art helps to revive Aboriginal culture, bridging the gap between European and Aboriginal life.
Tjampitjinpa's work has been showcased in numerous exhibitions and is part of permanent collections in prestigious galleries, including the National Gallery and the Art Gallery of Victoria. He won the Alice Springs Art Prize in 1988, propelling his art into international galleries.
Sources:
https://www.aaia.com.au/ronnie-tjampitjinpa/
