Tingari Cycle (2005) by Barney Campbell Tjakamarra 76x76cm Cat 9456BC

Barney Campbell Tjakamarra's paintings are marked by their subtlety, featuring roundels that appear to float within a maze of sinuous lines. This iconography echoes ceremonial body designs and traditional ground drawings.

Barney often collaborated with Willy Tjungurrayi at Kintore, sharing a commitment to serious and meticulous painting in the classical Pintupi style. His work faithfully portrays his 'dreamings' with a profound sense of tradition and precision.

The Tingari Cycle is the most common subject in Barney's paintings. The Tingari were men from the Dreaming (creation) era who traveled across vast stretches of land, performing rituals and shaping significant sites. They were accompanied by novices and usually followed by Tingari women. Their travels and adventures are preserved in song cycles, forming part of the teachings for post-initiatory youths and explaining contemporary customs.