Tingari Cycle by Barney Campbell Tjakamarra 122x76cm

Tingari Cycle (2005) – Barney Campbell Tjakamarra

Barney Campbell Tjakamarra’s Tingari Cycle (2005) is a masterful expression of Pintupi iconography, distinguished by a network of floating roundels set within a labyrinth of flowing lines. His works are deeply connected to traditional ceremonial body designs and sacred ground paintings, embodying the essence of Western Desert storytelling.

A dedicated and meticulous painter, Barney often worked alongside renowned artist Willy Tjungurrayi in Kintore, upholding a ‘classical’ Pintupi style that honours the integrity of his Dreaming narratives. His paintings exude a profound subtlety, capturing the intricate layers of ancestral stories passed down through generations.

The Tingari Cycle is the central theme in Barney’s work, yet its full meaning remains shrouded in cultural secrecy. These stories, drawn from the Dreaming creation era, recount the epic journeys of the Tingari men—ancestral beings who traversed vast desert landscapes, performing sacred rituals and shaping the land. Accompanied by novices and followed by Tingari women, their journeys are immortalised in song cycles, which continue to guide the teachings of post-initiatory youths today. These narratives not only preserve cultural law but also explain many contemporary customs, ensuring the enduring legacy of Pintupi heritage.

Barney Campbell Tjakamarra’s Tingari Cycle (2005) is more than a painting—it’s a portal into an ancient knowledge system, where every dot and line carries the weight of Country, kinship, and ceremony.