Bobby West Tjupurrula is the son of one of the original shareholders of Papunya Tula Artists, Fred West Tjakamarra. He is a traditional owner of Kiwirrkura and has been the official spokes person for Papunya Tula. Exhibitions: 2006 - Rising Stars 2006, Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne. Bobby West was born cat rock hole site at Tjamu Tjamu which lies east of Kiwirrkurra in Western Australia. Please view Bobby (Bob) West Wallangkarri Kantawarri) Tjupurrula Curriculum Vitae page 417 Encyclopedia Australian Aboriginal Artists dictionary of biographies. He was born at the rock hole site of Tjamu Tjamu, which is east of Kiwirrkura W.A. Bobby's family was met by Jeremy Long's Welfare patrol in 1963. At the time, his family was camping at willi rock hole, slightly east of Kintore. Bobby commenced painting for Papunya Tula Artists in the late 1980's. In 1999 he took part in depicting the Tingari story on a collaborative painting with the men from Kiwirrkurra and Balgo.

Artist:     Bobby West Tjupurrula (B.1958-)
Title:      HONEY ANTS TRAVEL  
Medium: Acrylic on Belgian linen
Image Size: 120 x 91.5 cm
Signed:  on reverse
Price:  POA - a contemporary Gold leaf frame included
Certificate from Warumpi Community Art Centre, Alice Springs, NT.

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Bobby West Biography:  
Bobby West was born circa 1958 at rock hole site at Tjamu Tjamu which lies east of Kiwirrkurra in Western Australia. View Bobby West Curriculum Vitae  page 417 Encyclopedia Australian Aboriginal Artists dictionary of biographies. Bobby West was born circa 1958 at rock hole site at Tjamu Tjamu which lies east of Kiwirrkurra in Western Australia. Bobby West is the son of Freddy West Tjakamarra (now deceased) who was one of the original painters for the Papunya Tula Artists.

In 1999 Bobby took part in depicting the Tingari story on a collaborative painting by the men from Kiwirkurra and Balgo which was purchased by the Berlin Museum, Germany. The other artists were Jonny Yungut Tjupurrula, Kanya Tjapangati, Patric Tjungurrayi, Tjumpo Tjapanangka and Walala Tjapangati. In 1980 Bobby also commenced to paint for the Papunya Tula Artists. In 1999 Bobby took part in depicting the Tingari story on a collaborative painting by the men from Kiwirkurra and Balgo which was purchased by the Berlin Museum, Germany. The other artists were Jonny Yungut Tjupurrula, Kanya Tjapangati, Patric Tjungurrayi, Tjumpo Tjapanangka and Walala Tjapangati.

AWARDS:
2003 Bobby was involved Artist in Residency Fireworks Gallery, Brisbane, Australia; 2001 Pintipi Alice Springs Award

COLLECTIONS:
Booby's work is acknowledged through the world, particularly in Germany, Denmark and America and around Australia including the Holmes a Court Collection; Art Bank; the Northern Territory Museum of Arts and Science, Darwin; and private collection.

Unlike the Western world the Aboriginal people inherit stories called “dreaming”.  Each story may include songs, ceremonial dances and rituals creating unique beliefs that the Aboriginal people live by. All stories and beliefs are related to the land and thus the land is great importance to them. The land is the keeper of the stories and must be kept safe for all time so that the stories, which are told in paintings, can be preserved.In modern dot representation is the sacred aspect of painting is not always completely revealed but the meaning, transmitted through symbols remains, and can be understood.

Dreamtime
Aboriginal people believe that the Universe was created by spirits (mystical beings) setting the blueprint for all time the way human may govern their conduct. The spirits gathered their food, dug for water, performing ceremonies as the Aboriginal do it today but the landscape stay unchanged. During the Creation Time spirits shaped all the landscape; hills and water holes and given humans all the sacred laws. That time was known as “Dreamtime” and it came to the end and their ancestor changed into landscape, they turn into a rock or mountain range, an isolated hill, river or even trees arose to mark the place. They look upon these spirits creators as ancestors. Aboriginal believe in an existing connection to their ancestor spirit and to the land. They are spiritual biological beings appreciative of the fragility of the nature and making an effort to live in harmony with the environment. Since every Aboriginal descent of the mythical beings of the “Dreamtime” each person is linked by myth and tribal relationship with the landscape, the rocks and watercourses, and everything else in his tribal country.

Aboriginal Philosophy of life
The philosophy of life, known as Dreamtime (Tjurrkurpa) is based on tradition conceived by totemic ancestors. Men and women believe to be direct descendants in spirit of “mythical architects” who created the land and different totems; kangaroo, Emu, turkey, lizards and the land in which they live. They feel special affinity with their related totem animal species. It is believed that sacred ceremonies have to be re-enacted on a regular basis to maintain the animal species and ensure survival of the humans.  Each family owns a special area of land and must protect sacred sites representing their personal totems Dreamtime spirits. People travel long distances from all directions to participate in the initiation ceremonies and to educate the young. The journey could last days or several months and women hunt and collect food during the voyage.

Aboriginal Secret language
A concentric circle represents a waterhole or a meeting place.

An oval shape symbolize a coolamon which is a wooden bowl used to carry food, water and even babies.

Didgeridoo originated from a northern part of Australia and it is a musical instrument producing profound and remarkable rhythmic sound. It is made from a hollow small tree or a branch of a tree eaten out by termites.

Music sticks comprise of a pair wooden sticks and used in ceremonies as a common drumming instrument to keep the rhythm of the song and dance and to accompany the didgeridoo.

Boomerang are made of mulga-wood and often used by men as a music drumming instrument for ceremonies, there are some variation in length and thickness.

Returning boomerangs are mainly found in lake and swamp areas used traditionally by men to scare birds from water ways into pre-nests.

Digging sticks are simple hardwood sticks with sharpen and fired harden point mainly used by women for digging water, lizards, rabbits, witchetty grubs and edible roots.