aboriginal artist: Tjawina Porter Nampitjinpa

View artworks by Tjawina Porter Nampitjinpa

LANGUAGE: Ngaatjatjarra and Pintupi/Luritja.

Tjawina was born around 1950 at Tjukurrla, which lies to the north of Docker River in Western Australia.

Her work is represented by private and corporate collections around the world.

Tjawina is a half sister to Nyurapayia Nampitjinpa (also an acclaimed artist), aka “Mrs Bennett” / “Mrs B”. Tjawina was a ‘bush baby’ – she grew up ‘in the bush’ with her family.  When her younger brother passed away her family decided to move to the then newly established government settlement of Papunya. Tjawina is now a widow and has returned to live in her country with family members including her sister Esther Giles Nampitjinpa who is also an artist.

Tjawina is known for her skill as a traditional basket weaver as well as her prominence as a painter. Tjawina paints her mother’s and father’s dreaming, the sites of Yumari, Punkilpirri, Tjukurla and Tjalili. These sites are important for ceremonies and as sources for water and important bush foods.