Michael Nelson Tjakamarra

Michael Nelson Tjakamarra (also spelled Jagamarra) was born circa 1946-49 in Pikilyi (Vaughan Springs) west of Yuendemu, Central Australia.

He learned sand painting, body painting and shield painting from his grandfather when he was a child.

Acclaimed as an exceptional artist, Michael Nelson has played a decisive role in the international influence of Aboriginal art.

He started painting in 1981 in Papunya where he still lives today with his family. He is part of the second generation of artists from the Center of Papunya.

Michael is guardian of several Dreams: The 'Possum Dreaming', the 'Snake Dreaming', the 'Two Kangaroos Dreaming', the 'Flying Ant Dreaming', the 'Yam Dreaming', he also depicts sacred sites, lightning, rain, shields….… and he likes to combine them in his paintings.

In 1984, he won the National Aboriginal Art Award.

In 1987, one of his monumental paintings (8.2 m) was purchased by the Sydney Opera House.

In 1988, in the presence of the Queen of England, he attended the inauguration of the new parliament in Canberra, which faces a huge mosaic for which he drew the plans.

The same year, he went to New York with Billy Stockman for the opening of the exhibition “Dreamings: Art of Aboriginal Australia".

In 1989, he had his first personal exhibition in Australia, followed by other events in 1990 and 1993.

In 1993 Michael was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of his essential contribution to Aboriginal art.

In 1992 BMW approached Michael along with several other leading Australian artists such as Ken Done, to paint a car in its traditional design. The car produced was the car that won the Shell Ultra Australian Touring Championship in 1987.

In 2001, he was a finalist in the 18th Telstra NATSIAA.

At the end of the 1990s, Michael did not hesitate to embark on a new expression of his art, he who was known for his meticulous, very worked works, he began to amplify the symbols used for the paintings on the ground or on the bodies, until the canvas is filled with only one or two of his symbols. The paint projections made on his canvases are reminiscent of Jackson Pollock's technique.
All with an economy of colors that makes his paintings terribly modern. By never deviating from tradition, Michael demonstrates the creativity of the Aboriginal art movement.