Born around 1924 in the southern Kimberley desert, Kitpi has distilled the purest essence of his homelands on canvas. In their simple, linear designs they present a vision free of hyperbole, whose complexity comes from their understanding of the deeper, more mystical meanings of the landscape.

With authority and clarity, they are the indelible memory of a different time, given permanence on canvas.

Drawing together works from every period of Kitpi’s career, Djugultjigarra Bandarngga presents the power of this unique vision - big stories, recorded for posterity.

A senior lawman of the Walmajarri, Kitpi describes himself as ‘a proper old bushman’. Shifting between delicate application of shimmering paint and vivid graphic motifs, he paints the stories of his people with a complete integrity that reflects his intimate knowledge of his Yarri Yarri lands. The story of Kitpi's art stands in relief against a life of personal and cultural tragedy.

Kitpi took up painting 2003, aged in his seventies. Working initially with his wife Thalma and his brother and sister-in-law, his early works explored a vibrant palette of blues, greens, pinks and ochres. As Kitpi’s work developed, he began to gravitate towards an earthier colour range of red, blacks, yellows and ochres.

Particularly important in Kitpi’s work has been his repeated exploration of karru, ‘a big big Law painting’ representing the pearl shell story and the travels of creator beings from the Desert to the West Kimberley coast.

Kitpi notes: This time I can only make a good picture for evidence so that people can see what I know, and that I am really bushman. The full really story belongs to the bush Blackfella Law, and I hold it carefully.

Kitpi’s work has been exhibited across Australia and internationally, and has been selected in the Telstra NATSIAA award. It is held in the collection of the Berndt Museum of Anthropology.

Mossenson Galleries in conjunction with Manambarra Aboriginal Artists are proud to present Djugultjigarra Bandarngga: Paintings by Kitpi.