Dennis Warrangkula Jakamarra

Dennis Tjakamarra Warrangula was born near Papunya and spent his early childhood in the desert neighbouring the settlement. He speaks of and recounts the early painters from former days. "We been sitting down and watching, they tell us dreamtime stories and show us how to paint and sometime we help," he recalls. Dennis remembers all the early painters. Many of these artists have now passed away, and in line with tradition, their names are not to be mentioned. Dennis is a traditional Aboriginal man and as such is responsible to his family group in certain facets of ceremonies.

He has painted from his very earliest recollections using various mediums and materials. Dennis learnt his skills from his father, Johnny Warrangula Tjupurrula. Along with his father, Dennis was always in the presence of a number of very notable artists of the Papunya painting movement. One definitive highlight and specialty of his present work rests in his ability to bring to life the visual nature and perspective associated with his culture. This interaction is seen and felt through the rigorous high quality standard of work he sets for himself. The end result to this mastery is a transmutation of visual feeling onto the canvas making the work almost reverberate of itself.

Dennis participates in a number of dreamings. The main ones for him are the Kalipimpa (old men) dreaming and the Tjikari dreaming.

Besides his painting, Dennis is kept very busy with his numerous other tasks as a traditional man. He must attend and travel to various tribal and inter-tribal meetings to participate in many aspects of custom, culture and ceremony for which he is bound.

Dennis has been painting for the Aboriginal Desert Art Gallery, Alice Springs  since 1994.