Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri

Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri was a pioneering Anmatyerre artist born around 1932 at Napperby Station, north-west of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Raised in a traditional bush environment, Clifford was immersed in the cultural and ceremonial knowledge of his ancestors from a young age. This deep connection to Country would become the heart of his artistic practice.

In his early adult life, Clifford worked as a stockman across Central Australia. During this time, he absorbed a wealth of traditional stories and songlines associated with the land, which would later inform his paintings. He began his creative journey carving wooden artefacts and was influenced by the watercolour techniques of the Hermannsburg School.

Clifford became a key figure in the Western Desert art movement when it emerged at Papunya in the early 1970s. As one of the founding members of the Papunya Tula Artists, he helped to translate complex Dreaming narratives into the now-iconic dot painting style. His works are renowned for their technical precision, layered symbolism, and the ability to portray multiple Dreamings across vast and intricate canvases.

One of his most celebrated works, Warlugulong, is considered a landmark in Australian art history. Throughout his career, Clifford’s paintings were exhibited widely and collected by major institutions across Australia and internationally. His contributions to the visual arts were recognised in 2002 when he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.

Clifford Possum’s legacy continues through the generations, not only in the richness of his work but also through the artistic paths of his daughters, Gabriella and Michelle Possum. His influence remains central to the story of contemporary Aboriginal art.