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Peter Tjutjatja Taylor

petertaylor copy
Photo by Jess Beelitz

Skin name: Japaltjarri
Language: Western Arrernte
Date of birth: cc 1945
Current home: Central Australia

Peter was born in Oodnadatta, South Australia, and comes from a large family. Peter’s father worked as a station hand in the central desert region. As a small boy Peter accompanied his father as he worked on stations from Horse Shoe Bend through to Hermannsburg, 120km west of Alice Springs.

These early years in Hermannsburg shaped Peter’s lifelong interest in painting. Not only did the picturesque location of Hermannsburg (set amongst the West MacDonnell Ranges) capture his imagination, but the example set by Hermannsburg artist, Albert Namatjira influenced him greatly.

After completing his schooling in Adelaide Peter returned to live in Alice Springs. Peter spent many hours painting alongside Clem Abbott and Keith Namatjira, where he further developed the initial drawing and painting skills he’d learnt at school. Peter has painted all of his adult life and is a skilled, mature watercolour artist.

Exhibitions:

  • 1991 Australian Aboriginal Art from the Donald Kahn collection
    Dreamings – Tjukurrpa: Aboriginal art of the Western Desert. Museum Villa Stuck, Munich
  • 2003 Desert Mob, Araluen Galleries, Alice Springs
  • 2006 Hermannsburg School of Art – Watercolour Exhibition, Araluen Galleries, Alice Springs
  • 2008 Indigenart, Subiaco WA
  • 2008 The Namatjira circle-landscapes of Central Australia, Birrung Gallery, Sydney NSW
  • 2011 Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne VIC
  • 2011, 22 sep – 10 oct, Napra Lismore
  • 2011, Metropolis Gallery, Geelong, VIC
  • 2012 Damian Minton Gallery, Sydney, NSW
  • 2012 Regional Art Gallery, Burnie, TAS
  • 2012 Art Mob, Launceston, TAS
  • 2012 Art Mob, Hobart, TAS
  • 2012 Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston, VIC
  • 2012 Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA
  • 2012 Talapi Gallery, Alice Springs, NT
  • 2012 Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville, NT

Collections:

  • Donald Hahn Collection
  • Lowe Art Museum
  • University of Miami
  • The Kelton Foundation
  • Santa Monica, USA
  • Lasseter’s Casino, Alice Springs
  • Princess Anne

Publications:

  • 2012 Magabala Australian Indigenous Diary