Tingari Cycle (2005) by Barney Campbell Tjakamarra 152x76cm Cat 9396BC

Barney Campbell Tjakamarra, a senior law man and one of the founding members of the Papunya Tula art movement in the 1970s, is an internationally renowned artist. His work is celebrated for its subtlety and intricate details, characterized by roundels floating in a maze of sinuous lines, reminiscent of ceremonial body designs and traditional ground drawings.

The most common subject in Tjakamarra’s paintings is the Tingari Cycle. Due to the secret and sacred nature of the Tingari Cycle, few details are revealed. The Tingari were men from the Dreaming creation era who traveled vast distances, performing rituals, and shaping significant sites. They were accompanied by novices and usually followed by Tingari women. Their travels and adventures are immortalized in song cycles, which are crucial for the teachings of post-initiatory youths and provide explanations for contemporary customs.

Tjakamarra often collaborated with Willy Tjungurrayi at Kintore, sharing a commitment to meticulous and classical Pintupi painting styles. Both artists faithfully portrayed their 'dreamings' with profound respect for cultural heritage.