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The Master from Marnpi by Alec O’Halloran (Book)

Catalog no.

book-the-master-from-marnpi-alecohalloran

Category

Books

Price: $80.00

Description

Western desert artist, Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri is family to many at Ikuntji (Haasts Bluff). Now available for purchase through Ikuntji Artists, this book offers a wonderful insight into Western Desert Art.

About the book:

The master from Marnpi
by Alec B O’Halloran, PhD, MEd, BSc.
The master from Marnpi.
The life and art career of Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri,
Pintupi man and award-winning Papunya Tula artist.
ISBN 9780959056549

The Aboriginal artist Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri (c1923-1998) was ‘one of the pillars of contemporary art practice’ (Hetti Perkins, Art Gallery NSW). This ground-breaking account is the first published biography of any Pintupi individual. Two questions are central: how are we to understand Tjapaltjarri, and, what can we learn from him? Comprehending his life pivots on three Pintupi concepts: tjukurrpa, walytja and ngurra, understood broadly as Dreamtime, family and place.

Tjapaltjarri is a worthy biographical subject. He won the National Aboriginal Art Award, the Alice Prize and Australia’s prestigious Red Ochre Award– the only artist to receive all three awards. Tjapaltjarri’s exemplary art career (1971-1998) is richly illustrated through numerous significant paintings. His cooperative relationships with key relatives, supporters and art advisers reveal a creative generous spirit within a reserved humble man.
Namarari’s story provides insights into the colonisation of Central Australia and the tenacity of the Pintupi people. The master from Marnpi follows Namarari as a child, survivor, stockman, traveller, artist, family leader, cultural advocate and community member, through the life stages of boy, adult and old man. This historically detailed and culturally sensitive narration of his fascinating life in Australia’s remote desert settlements is illuminating for metropolitan readers, yielding insights into Aboriginal lives in contemporary art-producing communities and their links to the marketplace. Namarari is remembered as a generous companion and a caring family man. Beyond his artwork he made numerous contributions as a patient cross-cultural teacher to Papunya Tula’s staff. As one of his family members, Keith Butler Tjungurrayi, remarked, ‘That old man had a big mob of Dreamings in his head’.

… an exemplary work of scholarship, of sourcing and citation, and it will not only be a fundamental piece of work for those interested in Indigenous Australian art but also, in my view, for many others with curiosity and interest in Indigenous life and history.
Professor Fred Myers, New York University, in the Australian Journal of Biography and History, No. 4,
2020, published by the Australian National University.

Setting a new benchmark for biographies of these early artists, Namarari’s life story is deftly woven with a close analysis of his art. Based on original interviews and extensive archival research and a catalogue raisonné, it is a forensic account that casts new light on not just Namarari—one of the original Papunya painters—but the movement and its development more generally.
Oxford Bibliography of Australian Indigenous Art

…lavishly illustrated and beautifully designed…
Caroline Overington, Literary Editor, The Weekend Australian.

The master from Marnpi is worth owning for the images alone. Its compilation was clearly a labour
of love, out of which Alec O’Halloran has made a beautiful book about a wonderful man.
Dr Martin Edmond, author, ‘Battarbee and Namatjira’

For me, The master from Marnpi is exemplary, a benchmark in artist biography as well as a lens on
the period and movement.
Professor Ian McLean, University of Melbourne, author, ‘Rattling Spears’

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    What an experience, apparently one of the worst roads in Australia to drive on and it definitely felt that way, so be prepared, its a tough drive, but I really wanted some fabric and I and my husband were determined to make it happen. Chrischona was full of information and was very happy to chat with me about the fabulous artists and the wonderful things they are doing to promote this beautiful art to the world.What an experience, something we will remember forever and I can’t wait to create a beautiful piece of clothing from my Alice Nampitjinpa rock holes fabric!
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    Ikuntji Artists were helpful and easy to work with to get the chosen art work shipped to me. The artist has created an amazing piece and I'm proud to display it. You will not be disappointed with their selection and their service. ''Yalka at Karinyarra" -
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    Rachel Smith
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    I was given a metre of Rockholes fabric as a present but it was too beautiful to cut up! I had it stretched on a frame and now it hangs in our hallway. The lively colours and shapes make me happy whenever I walk past.
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Www.ikuntji.com.au and link in bio
    #frockon2022 brought together 22 frockistas from a #frockon2022 brought together 22 frockistas from across Australia with our fabrics. We are so excited to share it all with you and present the latest video of the virtual runway with you.
Currently all garments are on show @songlines_arts 

Styling by @ossom.au
MUA by @nk_darwin
Photography by @georgefragopoulos
Filming by @justinandstevie
Editing and post production by @instantandy
Project facilitated by @flyingfoxfabrics
Creative production @ikuntjiartists 
All fabrics are available on our website www.ikuntji.com.au and link in bio.
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Thank you for your support!
    So many happy customers @darwinartfair this weeken So many happy customers @darwinartfair this weekend!
Join us today for the last day!
Also online via @darwinartfair
    #frockon2022 brought together 22 frockistas from a #frockon2022 brought together 22 frockistas from across Australia with our fabrics. We are so excited to share it all with you and present the latest video of the virtual runway with you.
Currently all garments are on show @songlines_arts 

Styling by @ossom.au
MUA by @nk_darwin
Photography by @georgefragopoulos
Filming by @justinandstevie
Editing and post production by @instantandy
Project facilitated by @flyingfoxfabrics
All fabrics are available on our website www.ikuntji.com.au and link in bio.
    Busy busy!!! @darwinartfair all day yesterday Come Busy busy!!! @darwinartfair all day yesterday
Come and say hello to our Darwin team today! At Darwin convention centre with our paintings, fabrics, clothes, jewellery and bags!
    New fabrics are now online!!! On our website www.i New fabrics are now online!!!
On our website www.ikuntji.com.au and link in bio as well as via our @darwinartfair stall
    #frockon2022 brought together 22 frockistas from a #frockon2022 brought together 22 frockistas from across Australia with our fabrics!

Styling by @ossom.au
MUA by @nk_darwin
Photography by @georgefragopoulos
Filming by @justinandstevie
Editing and post production by @instantandy
Project facilitated by @flyingfoxfabrics
All fabrics are available on our website www.ikuntji.com.au and link in bio
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