MORRIS GIBSON TJAPALTJARRI

Morris painted at Papunya Tula and held his first solo exhibition last autumn. It received much acclaim, with all his work selling out! It was a fitting end to a 25 year career, Morris sadly passed away shortly afterwards. 

Aside from his thrilling figurative and abstract work, Morris was know as an indomitable figure - even losing both his legs was said not to slow him down - 'a busy man with much to do!'. He contributed to the Kintore Men’s painting which was sold at the Western Desert Dialysis appeal event in Sydney in 2000. The money raised helped to establish a new model of dialysis care in the Country. He didn’t know at the time he would need our services himself.

This painting depicts designs associated with Kaakuratintja (Lake MacDonald). This is the artist’s father’s country.

 

In mythological times a large group of Tingari men came to this sire from the west.

 

Since events associated with the Tingari Cycle are of a secret nature no further detail was given. Generally, the Tingari are a group of mythical characters of the Dreaming who travelled over vasrt stretches of the country, performing rituals and creating and shaping particular sites. The Tingari men were usually followed by Tingari women and were accompanied by novices, and their travels and adventures are enshrined in a number of song cycles. These ancestral stories form part of the teachings when initiating youths today as well as providing explanations for contemporary customs.