Tjimpayi Presley

Tjimpayi Presley is the daughter of Kunmanara Tjampawa Katie Kawiny who was an Elder and Senior artist at Tjala Arts. Like her mother, Tjimpayi paints the kapi tjukurla (rock holes) that relate to the Kungkarangkalpa tjukurpa (the Seven Sisters story). This story involves the Seven Sisters being chased across country by a bad man (Wati Nyiru).The wise elder sisters protect and teach the younger ones, keeping them from falling for his tricks. Wati Nyiru can change shape into different rock formations and landmarks. These sites remain part of the landscape and are important Anangu ceremonial places.

Together with her solo practice, Tjimpayi paints on collaborative canvases with Naomi Kantjuriny and Kunmanara (Mona) Mitakiki. Together these ladies learned to paint under the guidance of Kunmanara Kawiny. She has passed away now but the younger women and their granddaughters keep her story alive through their practice for future generations.