Alice Nampitjinpa Dixon

Alice was born in 1943 near Talaalpi, which is a swamp near and a little bit to the east of Walungurru on the Western Australian border. Prior to her painting Alice worked for many years at the Kintore School teaching the young girls dancing and the traditions of the desert people. Alice started painting on the “Minyama Tjukurrpa” – the Kintore Haasts Bluff collaborative canvas project. As a painter she is inspired by her rich cultural heritage, and thrives when involved with her stories and lore. Alice is an active “dancing woman” who travels widely to participate in annual ceremonies and “Women’s Law” meetings. Alice’s tjukurrpa is the porcupine or Tjilkamala. Her story is told in bright colours often utilizing orange and yellow to mirror the ochres that are used in ceremonial body painting. In her tjukurrpa story there is often the porcupine scurrying about rock holes and hiding places looking for tucker while nearby the women are themselves hunting, laying in wait for the porcupine. Alice is a keen hunter and likes to go hunting with Eunice Jack. Alice’s father was the late Uta Uta Tjangala, who was one of the original Papunya Tula painters. His Tjukurrpa is Pungkalungka at Takpalangu. Pungkalungka’s are dangerous, and sometimes kill and eat people. They live in huge caves in the hills. Alice only paints the entrance to the caves to signify the unknown danger of the monster that dwells within. Her father’s country is Ngurrapalangu, and her tjukurrpa has passed to her from this place – the porcupine was travelling through the sand hills and passing near the two carpet snakes, kuniya kutjarra, who were living underneath the water. Alice also enjoys the other crafts and is involved in producing hand-spindled hairstring for ceremonies and ininti necklaces and mats. She regularly goes out bush to collect ininti seeds then laboriously pierces them with hot wire to make beads for necklaces, bracelets or mats.

Dixon passed away in December 2020. 

Languages

Luritja, Pintupi

Community

Haasts Bluff

Artwork themes

  • Mungada (Bush Tucker)
  • Porcupine Tjukurrpa
  • Tali Tali (Sandhills)

Artworks

Current Exhibitions

Past Exhibitions

Solo

  • 2016
    Kungka Kotara - Two Women, Tunbridge Gallery, Subiaco.
  • 2016
    Put yourself in my shoes - Alice Nampitjinpa and Keturah Zimran, Suzanne OConnell Gallery, Brisbane.
  • 2013
    Tali Tali - Sandhills, Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne.
  • 2008
    Alices Wonderland, Art Mob, Hobart.
  • 2008
    Eunice & Alice (with Eunice Napanangka Jack), Eva Breuer Art Dealer, Sydney.
  • 2007
    Alice Nampitjinpa (with Eunice Napanangka)Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.
  • 2005
    Alice Nampitjinpa, Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.
  • 2004
    Gabrielle Pizzi Collection, Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne.
  • 2004
    Alice Nampitjinpa and Eunice Napanangka - Ikuntji, Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.
  • 1999
    Tjilkamata & Watuya (with Eunice Napanangka Jack), Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.
  • 1998
    Alice Nampotjinpa (with Narputta Nangala), Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.

Group

  • 2025
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Charles Darwin University Gallery, NT, 29 October 2025 – 28 February 2026
  • 2025
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Yarrila Arts & Museum, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2 August – 12 October 2025
  • 2025
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Murray Bridge Regional Gallery, SA, 24 May – 27 July 2025
  • 2025
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Queen Victoria Museum & Gallery, TAS, 1 February – 11 May 2025
  • 2024
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Dandenong Ranges Cultural Centre, VIC, 23 November 2024 – 18 January 2025
  • 2024
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Benalla Art Gallery, VIC, 9 August – 27 October 2024
  • 2024
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, NSW, 14 June – 29 July 2024
  • 2024
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, NSW, 23 March – 19 May 2024
  • 2023
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre, NSW, 8 December 2023 – 8 December 2023
  • 2023
    Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out - Melbourne, VIC
  • 2023
    Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out - Sydney, NSW
  • 2023
    New Zealand Fashion Week - Auckland, NZ
  • 2023
    Ikuntji Textiles, Central Craft, Alice Springs NT
  • 2023
    National Indigenous Art Fair, Sydney NSW
  • 2023
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, New England Regional Art Museum, NSW, 2 June – 27 August 2023
  • 2023
    Ikuntji Style, Artisan, Brisbane
  • 2023
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, QLD, 4 March – 7 May 2023
  • 2022
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery , QLD, 26 November 2022 – 15 January 2023
  • 2022
    Hazelhurst Ikuntji Artists Printmaking 2022, Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Sydney.
  • 2022
    Imagine! – International Festival of Extraordinary Textiles (FITE), Musée Bargoin, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
  • 2022
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Caboolture Regional Art Gallery, QLD, 10 September – 19 November 2022
  • 2022
    2022 Tjunguku Tjukurrpa - Paris, voici nos Rêves !, IDAIA, Paris, France
  • 2022
    Ikuntji Textiles Exhibition, Central Craft, Alice Springs.
  • 2022
    Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin
  • 2022
    ‘Nganana Tjungu – This is Us’, Songlines, Darwin.
  • 2022
    NAIDOC MCA Store Exhibition and Activation , Sydney.
  • 2022
    National Indigenous Art Fair, Sydney.
  • 2022
    London Pacific Fashion Week, Dublin Runway Show, Royal Dublin Society, Dublin.
  • 2022
    Weaving Culture II: Ikuntji Artists, IDAIA, Lyon, France., 9th Jun - 9th July
  • 2022
    First Nations Fashion Design - Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, Carriageworksm Sydney.
  • 2022
    Luminous Lampshades 2022, Adelaide, Adelaide Fringe pop up
  • 2021
    IDAIA Christmas Exhibition, Lyon, France., 9th – 24th December
  • 2021
    WAMA Art Prize 2021, WAMA Art and Wildlife Precinct, Halls Gap., Finalists
  • 2021
    The Banyule Award for Works on Paper Award, Banyule VIC., Finalist Exhibition
  • 2021
    Weaving Culture - Textiles aborigènes contemporains, IDAIA, Lyon, France.
  • 2021
    Fremantle Art Centre Print Award, Fremantle.
  • 2020
    Country to Couture 2020, Darwin., Ikuntji X Magpie Goose fashion collaboration
  • 2020
    Ikuntji textiles Exhibition, Central Craft Alice Springs., 6th Sep - 28th Sep
  • 2020
    As Far as the Eye Can See, Touring exhibition 2018-2020, Cowra Regional Art Gallery., 21 March – 26 April
  • 2019
    2019 AIATSIS Indigenous Art Market, Canberra.
  • 2019
    As Far as the Eye Can See, Touring exhibition 2018-2020, Riddoch Art Gallery., 22nd November 2019 – 12st January
  • 2019
    Tarnanthi Art Fair 2019, Adelaide.
  • 2019
    Desert Mob Market Place 2019, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs., 5th, 6th and 7th September.
  • 2019
    Ikuntji Textiles Exhibition, Central Craft, Alice Springs.
  • 2019
    As Far as the eye Can See, - Touring exhibition 2018-2020, Horsham Regional Art Gallery., 24 August – 10 November
  • 2019
    Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair 2019, Darwin., 9-11 August
  • 2019
    National Indigenous Art Fair, Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, Sydney.
  • 2019
    New Directions in print-making, Salon Indigenous Art Projects, Darwin.
  • 2019
    As Far as the Eye Can See - Touring exhibition 2018-2020, Devonport Regional Gallery., 8 June – 28 July 2019
  • 2019
    About Country, Talapi, Alice Spring.
  • 2019
    As Far as the Eye Can See - Touring exhibition 2018-2020, Tamworth Regional Gallery., 6 April – 26 May
  • 2019
    As Far as the Eye Can See - Touring exhibition 2018-2020, Toowoomba Regional art Gallery., 2 February – 24 March
  • 2018
    AIATSIS Aboriginal Art Fair 2018, Canberra.
  • 2018
    Tali - My Country | Aboriginal Art Exhibition, Michell Fine Art, Brisbane., 14th November – 22nd December
  • 2018
    As Far as the Eye Can See- Touring exhibition 2018-2020, Redcliffe Art Gallery., 19 October – 1 December
  • 2018
    TARNANTHI Art Fair 2018, Adelaide.
  • 2018
    Ikuntji Artists - Irrimatitja, Japingka Gallery, Fremantle.
  • 2018
    As Far as the Eye Can See - Touring exhibition 2018-2020, Noosa Regional Gallery., .7th September – 14th October .
  • 2018
    Desert Mob Market Place 2018, Alice Springs., 6th, 7th and 8th September.
  • 2018
    Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair 2018, Darwin.
  • 2018
    Touring exhibition 2018-2020, Logan Art Gallery, 27 July – 1 September
  • 2018
    Summer Show, JGM Gallery, London., Jul 26th – Sep 7th
  • 2018
    3rd Annual Environmental Defenders Office of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Art Auction, Darwin and Sydney.
  • 2018
    Haasts Bluff contemporary art from the Ikuntji Artists, Yaama Ganu Gallery, Moree.
  • 2018
    Knowing Country, Artitja Fine Art, South Fremantle.
  • 2017
    Desert Mob Marketplace, Alice Springs., Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs
  • 2017
    Gems of Christmas, Aboriginal Signature Estrangin Gallery, Brussels.
  • 2017
    Desert Mob, Araluen, Alice Springs.
  • 2017
    11th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin Convention Centre, Darwin.
  • 2017
    Blak Markets at Barrangaroo, Sydney.
  • 2017
    Ngurra Kutju - Tjukurrpa Tjuta, One Country - Many Stories, Exhibition at Colin Biggers & Paisley, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane.
  • 2017
    One Country - Many Stories, Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane.
  • 2016
    Gems from the Desert, Aboriginal Signature Estrangin Gallery, Brussels.
  • 2016
    As far as the eye can see, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre.
  • 2016
    Vincent Lingiari Art Award Exhibition, Tangentyere Artists Gallery, Alice Springs.
  • 2016
    10th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin Convention Centre, Darwin.
  • 2016
    Bold and Beautiful, Talapi, Alice Springs.
  • 2016
    Chants du Desert - Art aborigene contemporain, La Chapelle du College dEu, Ville dEu, France.
  • 2016
    Malpa Wiru (NAIDOC Celebration), Signal Point Gallery, Goolwa.
  • 2016
    ‘Artist’s Hand: Collector’s Eye’ National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.
  • 2016
    EDO Northern Territory Aboriginal Art Auction 2016, Outstation Gallery, Darwin.
  • 2016
    The Blooming Desert, Talapi, Alice Springs.
  • 2016
    WOMADELAIDE, Adelaide.
  • 2016
    Ikuntji Artists – Paintings from Haasts Bluff, Jaktman Australian Contemporary Art Gallery.
  • 2015
    Kaléidoscope millénaire avec les artistes dIkuntji, Aboriginal Signature - Estrangin Fine Art, Brussels, Belgium
  • 2015
    Kaleidoscope, Aboriginal Signature Estrangin Gallery, Brussels, Belgium.
  • 2015
    Summer Stock, The Port Hedland Courthouse Gallery, Port Hedland.
  • 2015
    Tarnanthi Festival Art Fair, Tandanya Institute, Adelaide.
  • 2015
    Tarnanthi Festival, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide.
  • 2015
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2015
    Ancestral Presence - recent works by Ikuntji Artists, June Marriott Gallery, Central Craft, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2015
    9th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin.
  • 2015
    Radiance - Artwork from Desert Country, FORM, Perth.
  • 2015
    Land Matters: recent artworks from APY Lands, Talapi, Alice Springs.
  • 2015
    #ART4EDONT, Outstation Gallery, Parap and Environmental Defenders Office, Darwin.
  • 2015
    Colors of Nature, Shinsegae Gallery, Seoul, South Korea.
  • 2015
    OFF Fair 2015, Aboriginal Signature- Estrangin Fine Art, Brussels, Belgium.
  • 2015
    Spirit Country, Outback Aboriginal Art, Melbourne.
  • 2015
    Power of Place, FORM, State Theatre, Perth.
  • 2015
    Off Art Fair, Aboriginal Signature Estrangin Gallery, Brussels.
  • 2015
    Eurantica Art Fair, Aboriginal Signature Estrangin Gallery, Brussels.
  • 2014
    Artitja: The Gift Collection - Art + Objects, Artitja Fine Art, Fremantle.
  • 2014
    Around the Campfire - Fundraiser Concert, Alice Springs.
  • 2014
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2014
    Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin Convention Centre, Darwin.
  • 2014
    21 Years Ikuntji Artists Festival, Ikuntji Artists, Haasts Bluff.
  • 2014
    SOAF 2014 Seoul Open Art Fair, Seoul, Korea.
  • 2014
    The Bold and the Beautiful, Talapi Gallery, Alice Springs.
  • 2014
    The Bold and The Beautiful - new works from Ernabella Arts, Ikuntji Artists, Ninuku Artists, Tjala Arts and Tjungu Palya Artists AMONGST OTHERS, Talapi Gallery, Alice Springs.
  • 2013
    Desert Minatures from Ikuntji Artists, Tali Gallery, Sydney.
  • 2013
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2013
    A Love of Country - the Indigenous Perspective, A Seymour College Art Exhibition.
  • 2013
    Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin.
  • 2013
    Sun Flying, A Bright Australian Desert Art Exhibition, Berlin, Germany.
  • 2013
    SOAF - Seoul Open Art Fair, Seoul, Korea.
  • 2011
    IndigenousArt At IGS, Sydney, Tali Gallery, Sydney.
  • 2010
    Palya Art, Melbourne.
  • 2010
    Ikuntji, Scotch College, Melbourne.
  • 2010
    Art Mob, Hobart.
  • 2010
    In Print , Charles Darwin University Art Collection, Charles Darwin university Gallery, Darwin., 4 November 2010 - 28 February 2011.
  • 2009
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2009
    Artkelch Gallery, Germany.
  • 2009
    Art Mob, Hobart.
  • 2009
    Qdos Gallery, Lorne.
  • 2008
    Value of Country, ArtKelch Gallery, Direct Invest.
  • 2008
    Palya Art, Mary Place Gallery, Sydney.
  • 2008
    Ikuntji Artists, QDos Arts, Lorne.
  • 2008
    Men at Work, Aboriginal Art in der Fabrik, ArtKelch, Schorndorf, Germany.
  • 2008
    Ikuntji Icons, ArtMob, Hobart.
  • 2008
    Land and Mythology - Art of the Western Desert, Artequity, Sydney.
  • 2008
    All About Country, ArtKelch Gallery, Freiburg, Germany.
  • 2008
    Palya Art, Mary Place, Sydney.
  • 2008
    Aboriginal Art - Window to Culture, ArtKelch, Australian Embassy (Australia Day Exhibition), Berlin, Germany.
  • 2008
    Palya Art, Gallows Gallery, Perth.
  • 2008
    Ikuntji meets Brisbane, Woolloongabba Art Gallery, Brisbane.
  • 2008
    Ballan and Pannan Galleries, Alice Springs.
  • 2008
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2008
    Palya Art, Cabinet Malemont, Paris, France.
  • 2007
    Cultural Connections - Desert Stories, Artitja Fine Art, Perth.
  • 2007
    Palya Art, Mary Place, Sydney.
  • 2007
    Ikuntji Women Painters, King fisher Gallery, Perth.
  • 2007
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2007
    Best of the Best, Framed Gallery, Darwin.
  • 2007
    Ikuntji Now, Woolloongabba Art Gallery, Brisbane.
  • 2007
    Group Exhibition, ArtKelch, Freiburg i.Br., Germany.
  • 2007
    Ikuntji Painters, Footsteps Gallery, Brisbane.
  • 2007
    Yungkiya & Kulunnypa - Old & New, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney.
  • 2007
    Palya Art, Mary Place Gallery, Sydney.
  • 2006
    Australia Dreaming Art, Melbourne.
  • 2006
    Best Of The Best, Framed Gallery, Darwin.
  • 2006
    Palya Art, Melbourne.
  • 2006
    Desert Dreamings (Earth + Water), Artitja Fine Art, Perth.
  • 2006
    Genesis, Aboriginal Art Collection, Chicago.
  • 2006
    North Meets South- Ikuntji and Tjala Converge, ReDot Gallery, Singapore.
  • 2006
    Short St Gallery, Broome.
  • 2006
    Senior Ikuntji Women, Ochre Gallery, Melbourne.
  • 2006
    Booker Lowe Gallery, Texas.
  • 2006
    Palya Art, Darwin.
  • 2006
    Yaiti Yamimi, Bandigan Gallery, Sydney.
  • 2006
    Ngankirritja, Indigenart, Perth.
  • 2006
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2005
    Anangu, ReDot Gallery, Singapore.
  • 2005
    Dreaming Their Way - Australian Aboriginal Women Painters, National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington; Hood Museum of Art, Hanover,.
  • 2005
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2005
    Senior Aboriginal Women Artists of Central Australia, Gadfly Gallery, Perth.
  • 2005
    Sydney Art Fair, Sydney.
  • 2005
    Strata: Deserts Past Present and Future, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs.
  • 2004
    Ikuntji Desert Belles, Red Dot Gallery, Singapore.
  • 2004
    Art Frankfurt, Germany.
  • 2004
    Indigenart, Perth.
  • 2004
    Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.
  • 2004
    Divas of the Desert, Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs.
  • 2004
    Susan OConnell Gallery, Brisbane Art Fair, Brisbane.
  • 2004
    Kaarkurutintya - Goanna Country - Recent Paintings from Haasts Bluff, Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.
  • 2004
    Concord, Framed Gallery, Darwin.
  • 2004
    Indigenart, Perth.
  • 2003
    Divas of the Desert, Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs.
  • 2003
    Fireworks Gallery, Brisbane.
  • 2003
    Ikuntji – Stories from the Red Land, Rebecca Hossack, London, United Kingdom.
  • 2003
    Desert Show, Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs.
  • 2003
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Presinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2003
    Indigenart, Perth.
  • 2003
    Carole Queriye, London, United Kingdom.
  • 2003
    Red Dot Gallery, Singapore.
  • 2002
    Monash University, Prato Centre, Italy.
  • 2002
    Mythology and Reality: Contemporary Australian Aboriginal Desert Art, Gabrielle Pizzi Collection, Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne.
  • 2002
    Mythology & Reality, Jerusalem Centre of the Performing Artist, Israel.
  • 2001
    Pintupi Women - Bush Stories, Ikuntji, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney.
  • 2000
    Aborigena, Palazzo Bricherasio, Turin, Italy.
  • 2000
    Ikuntji, Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.
  • 2000
    Our Country: Pintupi Women from Haasts Bluff, Raft Artspace, Alice Springs.
  • 2000
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 1999
    Ikuntji Artists, Desart Gallery, Sydney.
  • 1999
    Land of Diversity- The Northern Territory, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney.
  • 1998
    Ikuntji Tjuta - Touring Retrospective, Campbelltown City Art Gallery, Sydney.
  • 1998
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Presinct, Alice Springs.
  • 1998
    Adelaide Fringe Festival, Desart Exhibition, Adelaide.
  • 1997
    Raiki Wara: Long Cloth from Aboriginal Australia and the Torres Strait, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.
  • 1997
    Bischoffs, California, United states.
  • 1997
    National Heritage Art Award, Canberra.
  • 1997
    Ikuntji: Paintings from Haasts Bluff, Framed Gallery, Darwin.
  • 1997
    Ikuntji Paintings, Galerie Dusseldorf, Perth.
  • 1997
    14th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
  • 1996
    Ikuntji Tjuta, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide.
  • 1996
    Ikuntji Tjuta, Alliance Francaise, Canberra.
  • 1996
    28th Alice Prize, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 1996
    Circles about the Body, University Gallery, University of Tasmania.
  • 1996
    Fishers Ghost Art Award, Campbelltown.
  • 1996
    13th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
  • 1995
    Ikuntji Minyma Tjuta, Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.
  • 1994
    Minyma Tjukurrpa- Haasts Bluff/Kintore Canvas Project, Tandanya, Adelaida.

Collections

  • Aboriginal Art Museum Utrecht, Netherlands.
  • Art Gallery of New South Wales.
  • Arts dAustralie Stephane Jacob, Paris, France.
  • Gabrielle Pizzi Collection, Melbourne.
  • Harold Mitchell Foundation, Melbourne.
  • Heide Muesum of Modern Art, Melbourne.
  • Myer Baillieu Collection, de Young Museum, San Francisco, Unites states.
  • National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.
  • National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne,.
  • Parlament House Collection, Canberra.
  • Red Dot Gallery, Singapore.
  • Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
  • University of Queensland Art Collection, Brisbane.
  • Active Youth Collection, Japan.
  • Griffith University, Brisbane.
  • Araluen Art Centre, Alice Springs.
  • The Owen and Wagner Collection of Australian Aboriginal Art.
  • Helen Read Collection
  • Australian Association of Gerontology, Melbourne.
  • Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation, Sydney.
  • Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong.