Dini Campbell Tjampitjinpa (1945 - 2000)
Dini Campbell Tjampitjinpa (1945 - 2000)
Born in the early 40's in Pintupi country west of Kiwirrkura, across the WA border near Jupiter Well. He grew up 'in the bush' with his family , and had already been initiated when the group walked into the Catholic mission settlement of Balgo in the late 50's. While living at Balgo, Dini did stockwork and wood carting.
While visiting relatives in Papunya, he observed the old men painting during the 70's. His older brother, ANATJARI Tjampitjinpa, was one of the original group of Papunya artists .
During one of these visits in 1981, Dini had his first experience of painting on canvas as one of the team of men who assisted Uta Uta Tjangala on the monumental canvas depicting events at the site of Yumari, which has since travelled the world as part of the Aboriginal Arts Board collection.
Painting started up at Balgo Education Centre around this time, moving from Christian themes to paintings of the artists' country, and developing distinctive regional styles. He does not appear to have painted at Balgo during this period, but the influence of these Balgo styles (eg. Linked dotting) was evident in the paintings which he produced after moving from Balgo to Kintore in the early 80's.
He paints the stories of Tingarri cycle in his country around Lake Nyaru and Walatju. Married with two young children, he is one of the most dedicated artists currently working out of Kintore.
Collections:
National Gallery of Victoria, Supreme Court of NT, Darwin.
Exhibitions:
John Weber Gallery, New York, 1989, solo exhibition Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, 1990,
Desert Art Gallery, Melbourne 1994. Australian Embassy Washington and New York 1999.
TINGARRI CYCLE
by
DINNY. CAMPBELL TJAMPITJINPA
Aboriginal paintings are based on myths of the Dreamtime. In modern dot representation, the sacred aspect of the painting is not always revealed, but the meaning remains, transmitted through symbols which are easily understood.
Each person has a particular dreaming to which they belong and they have special ceremonial dances and songs that combine together to form a unique religion that makes up the lives of the Aboriginal people. All things related to the land is the keeper of the Dreaming stories, which are told in the paintings and are preserved.
The Tingarri stories recount the creation-time travel of a particular, important group of elders who taught ritual knowledge to initiates. This painting depicts designs associated with the secret-sacred Tingari ceremonies.
This particular painting shows us the travels of two men from a place called Mt Allen to Kirwirkurra. This is a journey that is both over time as well as space. The circles show us specific events that are of spiritual importance to these men and the travel lines show the journey, as well as the fact that these places or events are of an archaic nature in that they have been experienced over many, many years.
Generally, the Tingarri are a group of mythical characters of the Dreaming, who travelled over vast stretches of the country, performing rituals, creating and shaping particular sites.
The Tingarri men are usually followed by Tingarri women and accompanied by novices and their travel and adventures are enshrined in a number of song cycles. These mythologies form part of the teaching of the post initiate youths as well as providing explanations for contemporary customs.
Due to the secret and sacred elements, no further information may be obtained.
Picture Gallery (please click thumb-nail for bigger image)
International Post: Art of Papunya Tula
Stamps (one each $1.10, $1.65, $2.20, $3.30)
Background Information on this Issue
This set of four stamps brings a new focus to Australia's International Post range. Art of Papunya Tula redefines 'panoramas of Australia' with powerful images that are at once physical, cultural and spiritual maps of the country and its people.
The designs capture the subtlety and sophistication of Papunya Tula artists today and demonstrate their vigour and depth of talent.
The immensely successful work of contemporary Western Desert artists is one of the most significant art movements in Australian history. It began in 1971 at Papunya (about 240 km west of Alice Springs) when senior men, with the encouragement of young school teacher Geoff Bardon, began painting images drawn from traditional ceremonial body and sand paintings on to canvas and boards.
Beyond its success as an art movement, the art of Papunya Tula has helped preserve traditional cultural aspirations, protect tribal lands and revive ancestral beliefs of community and social order.
As well as the stamps the issue includes a stamp pack, first day cover and a set of four maximum cards. The $3.30 design will also be produced as a postcard. Postcards are available from participating Post retail outlets.
The Stamp: $3.30
Dini Campbell Tjampitjinpa (Pintupi), untitled, 1999
This work also relates to the Tingari cycle. It depicts designs associated with the rock hole site of Wakula, west of Jupiter Well.
In mythological times a large group of Tingari men passed through this site during their travels east. Events associated with the Tingari cycle are secret so details of the stories are not shared with the public.
Dini Campbell Tjampitjinpa (Pintupi) c.1945-2000 was born in Pintupi country west of Jupiter Well in Western Australia. He is represented in the National Gallery of Victoria and the Supreme Court of NT in Darwin, and has had exhibitions in New York and Melbourne.
Technical Details
Issue date -- 17 June 2003
Denominations -- One x $1.10, $1.65, $2.20, $3.30
