Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (born c. 1958) is a globally acclaimed Pintupi contemporary painter and one of Australia’s most vital indigenous contemporary artists. He is recognized as a principal leader of the second-generation Papunya Tula Art movement. [1]
Discovery: The Pintupi Nine
Warlimpirrnga holds a unique place in history as the de facto leader and eldest brother of the “Pintupi Nine” (often called “The Last Nomads”). Until October 1984, he lived a completely traditional, nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle in the isolated Gibson Desert, completely uncontacted by modern Euro-Australian civilization. [1, 2]
He was the first of his family group to encounter modern society when he walked out of the bush near Kiwirrkurra. Having never seen a white person or a vehicle, he famously mistook an engine block for a demon before guiding the rest of his family—including his brothers Walala and Thomas—into the community. [1]
Style and Optical Illusion Art
Just three years after his transition to modern life, Warlimpirrnga began painting formally for the Papunya Tula Artists cooperative in 1987. He quickly distinguished himself from his peers by pioneering an extraordinarily sophisticated, abstract visual language: [1]
- Topographical Vibrations: Rather than using the classic, solid geometric blocks favored by his brothers, Warlimpirrnga creates fluid, undulating, and organic lines. [1, 2]
- Hypnotic Pointillism: His canvases are composed of thousands of meticulously placed, tightly controlled dots that trace overlapping paths. [1]
- The Flickering Shimmer: This technique creates an intense optical force across the surface, causing the painting to appear to flicker, surge, and physically vibrate, mimicking the mirages of the salt lakes and the shifting desert heat. [1]
Sacred Themes: Tingari and Wilkinkarra
Warlimpirrnga is a deeply revered ceremonial elder, and his art is drawn directly from male body decoration designs used during sacred initiations. His work tracks the Tingari Cycle—the ancient creation narratives of ancestors who traveled across the desert forming the physical terrain and codifying Pintupi law. His canvases function as highly encoded maps of the geography of his youth, most notably Wilkinkarra (Lake Mackay), a massive, dry salt lake, and Maruwa, the water site where his family spent their final years in isolation. [1, 2]
Global Recognition & Fine Art Market
Warlimpirrnga successfully bridged the gap between traditional cultural mapping and elite international contemporary art. He is highly sought after by global institutions and has achieved major international milestones: [1]
- dOCUMENTA (13): In 2012, his works were prominently featured in Kassel, Germany, cementing his presence in the international contemporary art circuit. [1, 2]
- Gagosian Representation: His mesmerizing style caught the attention of major global galleries, leading to highly celebrated solo exhibitions at Salon 94 in New York and global backing from the Gagosian Gallery. [1, 2]
- Major Collections: His works are preserved in permanent collections worldwide, including the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), and the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris. [1, 2]
Would you like to examine how his wife, Yalti Napangati, mirrors his themes in her own art, discover where his major works are currently being exhibited, or see details about the 1984 first-contact event?
Aug 27, 2026
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI born c1958, Wilkinkarra 2022
Menzies
Sold: AUD28,000
Jul 15, 2026
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, , Untitled, Acrylic on Belgian linen
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Passed
May 17, 2026
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI (BORN c1950), Tingari Cycle 2005
Gibson’s
Sold: AUD1,300
May 05, 2026
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (circa 1959) Untitled, 2002
Bonhams
Sold: AUD12,000
Mar 25, 2026
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, Marawa, 2003
Deutscher and Hackett
Sold: AUD50,000
Dec 10, 2025
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, Untitled
Rago Arts and Auction Center
Sold: $12,000
Nov 19, 2025
Dorotheum
Passed
Oct 30, 2025
Leonard Joel
Sold: AUD2,000
Oct 21, 2025
Leonard Joel
Passed
Oct 19, 2025
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI (BORN CIRCA 1950), Tingari
Gibson’s
Sold: AUD7,000
Aug 26, 2025
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (circa 1959) Untitled, 2002
Bonhams
Passed
Aug 25, 2025
Lawsons
Passed
Jul 10, 2025
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI, UNTITLED,
Leonard Joel
Passed
Jun 16, 2025
Lawsons
Passed
May 26, 2025
Lawsons
Passed
May 15, 2025
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI Untitled 21 3/8 x 23 3/4 in (54.1 x 60.1 cm) (Painted in 2013)
Bonhams
Sold: $6,000
Apr 09, 2025
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI born c1958, Pintupi language group Tingari
Menzies
Passed
Mar 31, 2025
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, , Untitled, Synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Sold: AUD15,000
Mar 18, 2025
Leonard Joel
Sold: AUD3,000
Dec 04, 2024
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI, (c1958 -), Tingari, acrylic on skateboard deck, 79 x 20 cm
Lawsons
Sold: AUD1,900
Nov 20, 2024
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI born c1958, Wilkinkarra (Lake Mackay) 2017
Menzies
Sold: AUD60,000
Nov 17, 2024
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, (c.1958-), Marrawa, 2023, Synthetic Polymer Paints on Linen, 80cm x 78cm
Bargain Hunt Auctions
Passed
Oct 27, 2024
Lawsons
Passed
Oct 27, 2024
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI (BORN 1950), Marrawa 2004
Gibson’s
Sold: AUD1,200
Sep 29, 2024
Lawsons
Passed
Aug 11, 2024
Bargain Hunt Auctions
Passed
Aug 11, 2024
Bargain Hunt Auctions
Sold: AUD9,000
Jul 18, 2024
Lawsons
Passed
Apr 23, 2024
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, Kiwirrkurra (b.c. 1950’s-), Tingari 2018, Acrylic on canvas
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Passed
Apr 21, 2024
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI (BORN CIRCA 1950), Water Dreaming at Marpurri, South of Lake Mackay 1996
Gibson’s
Sold: AUD5,500
Dec 04, 2023
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, Kiwirrkura (c. 1950’s), Tingari, Acrylic on canvas
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Passed
Nov 16, 2023
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI (c1950 – ) – Tingari acrylic on canvas 210 x 291 x 3 cm (ready to hang)
Lawsons
Passed
Oct 29, 2023
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI (BORN CIRCA 1950), Grandfather’s Country 2017
Gibson’s
Sold: AUD42,000
Oct 19, 2023
Leonard Joel
Passed
Oct 02, 2023
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, Kiwirrkura (c. 1950’s), Tingari, Acrylic on canvas
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Passed
Aug 28, 2023
Leonard Joel
Passed
Aug 28, 2023
Leonard Joel
Passed
Aug 27, 2023
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI “Tingari”
Ozbid Auctions
Passed
Jul 31, 2023
Thomas Walala & Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, , Tingari Dreaming 2013, Acrylic on linen
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Sold: AUD8,000
Jul 31, 2023
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, Kiwirrkura (c. 1950’s), Tingari, Acrylic on canvas
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Passed
Jun 18, 2023
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI “Tingari”
Ozbid Auctions
Passed
Jun 06, 2023
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI, TINGARI AT MARAWA, 2002
Deutscher and Hackett
Passed
Jun 06, 2023
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI, UNTITLED, 2005
Deutscher and Hackett
Sold: AUD13,000
Jun 04, 2023
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI; THOMAS TJAPALTJARRI; WALALA TJAPALTJARRI “TINGARI”
Phillip Caldwell Auctioneers
Passed
May 28, 2023
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI – “Tingari”
Ozbid Auctions
Passed
May 22, 2023
Thomas Walala & Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, , Tingari Dreaming 2013, Acrylic on linen
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Passed
Apr 16, 2023
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI (BORN CIRCA 1950), Grandfather’s Country 2017
Gibson’s
Passed
Apr 04, 2023
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (circa 1959) Tingari, 2002
Bonhams
Sold: AUD20,000
Mar 20, 2023
Thomas Walala & Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, , Tingari Dreaming 2013, Acrylic on linen
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Passed
Feb 26, 2023
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (c1950) Tingari-2007 Acrylic on canvas
Artvisory
Sold: AUD750
Oct 11, 2022
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri – Tingari Site, 2002
Cooee Art
Sold: AUD12,000
Oct 11, 2022
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri – Maruwa, 2016
Cooee Art
Sold: AUD70,000
Oct 11, 2022
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri – Tingari – West Of Lake Mackay, 2000
Cooee Art
Sold: AUD18,000
Oct 11, 2022
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI “Tingari”
Ozbid Auctions
Passed
Jun 13, 2022
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI. – (né en 1959)
Cornette de Saint-Cyr-Bruxelles
Passed
Apr 18, 2022
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI “Tingari – Wilkinkara”
Ozbid Auctions
Passed
Mar 20, 2022
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI “Tingari”
Ozbid Auctions
Passed
Feb 06, 2022
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI “Tingari”
Ozbid Auctions
Passed
Dec 19, 2021
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI “Tingari”
Ozbid Auctions
Sold: AUD2,100
Nov 28, 2021
Ozbid Auctions
Passed
Oct 10, 2021
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI “Tingari”
Ozbid Auctions
Passed
Jul 04, 2021
Ozbid Auctions
Passed
Apr 22, 2021
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (circa 1959) Wilkinkarra (Lake Mackay), 2004
Bonhams
Sold: AUD38,000
Feb 24, 2021
Leonard Joel
Sold: AUD7,000
Oct 20, 2020
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri – Wanampi Dreaming at Wikinkarra, 1996
Cooee Art
Sold: AUD3,000
Oct 20, 2020
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri – Tingari, 1993
Cooee Art
Passed
Oct 20, 2020
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri – Fire Dreaming, 1996
Cooee Art
Passed
Oct 20, 2020
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri – Tingari, 2006
Cooee Art
Sold: AUD26,000
Sep 27, 2020
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI “Tingari”
Ozbid Auctions
Sold: AUD460
Sep 22, 2020
Leonard Joel
Sold: AUD4,400
Aug 23, 2020
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI “Tingari”
Ozbid Auctions
Passed
Jun 23, 2020
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri – Tingari site west of Wilkinkarra (Lake Mackay)
Cooee Art
Sold: AUD24,000
Jun 15, 2020
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI (BORN CIRCA 1958) Untitled 2001
Gibson’s
Sold: AUD850
Jun 02, 2020
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI (born 1950) Watulka acrylic on canvas
Leonard Joel
Sold: AUD12,000
May 05, 2020
Leonard Joel
Passed
Mar 18, 2020
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI, born c.1959, MARAWA, 2004, synthetic polymer paint on linen
Deutscher and Hackett
Sold: AUD70,000
Jan 30, 2020
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (c1958 – ) – Marawa 60 x 60cm (stretched and ready to hang)
Lawsons
Sold: AUD900
May 21, 2019
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI, UNTITLED, 2001
Deutscher and Hackett
Sold: AUD2,000
Feb 28, 2019
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (c1958 – ) – Marrawa 60 x 60cm (stretched and ready to hang)
Lawsons
Passed
Nov 15, 2018
Lawsons
Passed
Nov 15, 2018
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (c1958 – ) – Tingari 100 x 72cm
Lawsons
Sold: AUD900
Sep 27, 2018
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (c1958 – ) – Marawa 72 x 100cm (stretched & ready to hang)
Lawsons
Sold: AUD1,500
Aug 23, 2018
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (c1958 – ) – Marawa 60 x 60cm (stretched & ready to hang)
Lawsons
Passed
Aug 23, 2018
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (c1958 – ) – Tingari 100 x 72cm
Lawsons
Passed
May 31, 2018
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (c1958 – ) – Tingari 100 x 70cm
Lawsons
Sold: AUD800
May 31, 2018
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (c1958 – ) – Marawa 60 x 60cm (stretched & ready to hang)
Lawsons
Sold: AUD800
Apr 18, 2018
WARLIMPIRRNGA TJAPALTJARRI, born c.1959, MAW MAW YNTJIPI, 1999, synthetic polymer paint on linen
Deutscher and Hackett
Sold: AUD50,000
Apr 12, 2018
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (c1958 – ) – Marawa 40 x 40cm (stretched & ready to hang)
Lawsons
Passed
Mar 29, 2018
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (c1958 – ) – Marawa 60 x 60cm (stretched & ready to hang)
Lawsons
Sold: AUD800
Mar 08, 2018
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (c1958 – ) – Marawa 60 x 60cm (stretched & ready to hang)
Lawsons
Passed
Mar 01, 2018
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (c1958 – ) – Marawa 60 x 60cm (stretched & ready to hang)
Lawsons
Passed
Mar 01, 2018
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (c1958 – ) – Marawa 139.5 x 45cm (stretched & ready to hang)
Lawsons
Sold: AUD1,300
Sep 21, 2017
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (1958 – ) – Maranna (Shield) l. 80, w. 34cm
Lawsons
Passed
Sep 19, 2017
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (b. 1950)
Shapiro Auctioneers
Sold: AUD1,560
Jun 15, 2017
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (c1958 – ) – Maranna (Sheild) 80 x 34cm
Lawsons
Passed
Mar 16, 2017
Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri (c1958 – ) – Maranna (Sheild) 80 x 34cm
Lawsons
Passed
You‘ve viewed 96 of782
Share