Billy Stockman Tjapaltjarri (c1927–2015) was a highly regarded artist and recognised as a leader amongst his people, actively involved as a campaigner for land rights and development of more equitable conditions for Indigenous people.
Tjapaltjarri’s mother and other members of his family were tragically killed in the Coniston Massacre in 1928. He was only one of two who survived, concealed by his mother whilst sleeping. Tjapaltjarri was consequently found and taken in by his aunt and mother of then to be famous Aboriginal artist, Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, raised as an adopted brother. In the late 1960‘s, Billy moved to the desert settlement of Papunya, where he became part of the most important moment in the contemporary Indigenous art, Papunya Tula, now credited with bringing indegenous art to the attention of the world, as well as inspiring many other Indigenous artists and their styles.
Tjapaltjarri’s paintings are described as essentially spiritual or ‘Dreamings’, with symbols used to depict religious knowledge. His works is grounded in the narratives of traditional desert culture as a senior custodian of specific sites and stories. Tjapaltjarri also instructed younger artists on the ancient knowledge, in particular the Budgerigar, Water, Snake and Wild Potatoe Dreamings of his own country.
Tjapaltjarri’s work has been seen around the world in several travelling exhibitions, as well as being featured in many Galleries and Collections throughout Australia. In 1988 he was involved with the opening and exhibited in New York for the “Dreamings: Art of Aboriginal Australia’. This exhibition travelled to Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and the ‘All Black Festival’ in South Africa. His work is held in many important collections nationally including the National Gallery of Australia, New South Wales Art Gallery, Art Gallery of South Australia and University of WA Anthropology Museum.
BILLY (Tjapaltjarri) STOCKMAN
Carpet Snake Dreaming 1995
acrylic on canvas
89 x 134.5 cm
$8,500
PROVENANCE: Private Collection Hobart
