Bobby West Tjupurrula

Bobby West Tjupurrula is a significant Pintupi artist and leader within Papunya Tula Artists, son of founding shareholder Freddy West Tjakamarra. Born at the rockhole site of Tjamu Tjamu east of Kiwirrkura, Bobby's family was contacted by Jeremy Long's welfare patrol in 1963 while camping at Willi rockhole near Kintore—an encounter documented in Douglas Lockwood's book The Lizard Eaters. Commencing painting for Papunya Tula Artists in the late 1980s, Bobby developed a distinctive style depicting his father's country and ancestral narratives through refined compositions featuring classic desert iconography. His work demonstrates sophisticated understanding of ceremonial knowledge and deep connection to remote Pintupi lands. Beyond artistic achievement, Bobby has been integral to Papunya Tula's governance, serving as chairman on several occasions and providing crucial cultural and administrative leadership. In 1999, he contributed to the Kiwirrkura men's collaborative paintings for the Western Desert Dialysis Appeal, demonstrating art's role in community advocacy. Bobby's dual legacy as accomplished painter and organizational leader exemplifies how contemporary desert artists balance artistic practice with cultural authority and community responsibility, ensuring Papunya Tula's continuing significance within Australian Indigenous art.

Need to define the interactive map functionality, we can add lat/long values as custom fields TBD.

Bobby West Tjupurrula

Country

Works Available

Relevant Exhibitions

Register Interest

Enquire