Aboriginal Painting by Long Jack Philipus Tjakamarra

Magnificent aboriginal painting by the renown artist Long Jack Philipus

Untitled, Acrylic on Canvas

Dimensions: 129 x 141 cm

Provenance: The Des Rogers Collection

Des Rogers was a collector of and dealer in Aboriginal art from the 1990's for over two decades. Based in Melbourne he made many trips to Alice Springs and outlying Aboriginal communities buying many works of art directly from artists. During this time he developed a close working relationship with the Possum Nungurrayi family as well as other Central Australian Aboriginal artists.

One of One Artwork

Long Jack Phillipus Tjakamarra (c. 1932–2020) was a pioneering Aboriginal artist from the Western Desert region of Australia, notably central to the Papunya Tula art movement.

Art Style & Dreamings:

Dreaming Themes: His acrylic paintings often portrayed Water Dreaming, Possum Dreaming, as well as local fauna like hare, wallaby, kingfisher, and dingo 

Vision & Aesthetic:

Known for balanced compositions, harmonious earth-toned palettes, and an artistic style both traditional and accessible .

Achievements & Recognition Awards:

Northern Territory Golden Jubilee Art Award (1983)

Alice Springs Art Prize (1984) 

Exhibitions:

Featured in key exhibitions like 'Papunya and Beyond', 'Tjukurrpa – Desert Dreamings', and 'Power of the Land', shown across Australia, North America, and Europe

Long Jack Phillipus Tjakamarra remains a cornerstone of the Western Desert art movement. His work reflects deep cultural essence, strong stylistic harmony, and significant cross-cultural dialogue—positioning him as a key figure in Australian and global Indigenous art.

One of his pieces, Untitled (Kalipinypa) (1972), sold at Bonhams Sydney in July 2020 for AUD 231,800 (see last picture)