Benny Tjapaltjarri

Benny Tjapaltjarri was a Pintupi artist from the Western Desert. Born west of Kintore, he spent his early years living traditionally on Country before moving into settlement life during the mid-20th century.

He began painting with Papunya Tula Artists in the 1970s, contributing to the early development of the Western Desert art movement. Benny’s works are strongly connected to Tingari Dreamings and sacred sites including Wilkinkarra (Lake Mackay) and Pinpirrnga, for which he held custodial responsibility. His canvases are distinguished by rhythmic dotting, structured line work, and a sense of vast desert space, mapping the journeys of ancestral beings across his Country.

Though not as prolific as some of his contemporaries, Benny’s paintings carried cultural weight and authority. His works were exhibited widely and are represented in major collections such as the National Gallery of Victoria and the National Gallery of Australia.

Benny Tjapaltjarri is remembered as a respected custodian and a valued contributor to the Western Desert art movement. His paintings remain important records of Pintupi law and tradition, ensuring the stories of his people continue to resonate far beyond the desert homelands.