Tiger Palpatja, born around 1920, had a late start as an artist. He began painting only three years ago.
Palpatja, who is from Amata in South Australia, about 1,100 kilometers (684 miles) northwest of Adelaide, is one of a growing number of senior Australian aboriginal lawmen, healers and elders who have turned to art in the past few years to tell their ancestral stories and creation myths.
His bright canvases of dots, swirls and the mythical water- snake Wanampi feature at a new exhibition of works called “Stories from the Land of the Honey Ants” from Amata’s Tjala Arts, a community center for Aboriginal art, at ReDot Gallery in Singapore until April 5. The show also includes fellow lawman Hector Burton, Ruby Williamson and her daughter Nita, and Brenton Ken. Prices range from S$900 ($650) to S$11,500.
Tjala Arts was started in 1997 by women in the community of about 2,500 people, who live in one of Australia’s most remote areas. ReDot is at 11, Everton Road. Information: +65-6222-1039 or go to http://www.redotgallery.com.
