David Corby Tjapaltjarri
David Corby Tjapaltjarri was among the youngest members of the early Western Desert Art movement at Papunya and emerged as one of the most technically refined painters of the formative Papunya period. Although his career was tragically short, his paintings remain highly regarded for their precision, concentrated structure, and evolving use of colour within the development of early Papunya Art.
During the early 1970s, David Corby painted primarily on small composition boards, many measuring less than 50 cm x 50 cm. These early works are typically executed in restrained ochre palettes and depict Budgerigar, Wallaby, Emu, and Witchetty Grub Dreamings associated with ceremonial traditions of the Central Desert. Characterised by precise linework, concentrated circular structures, and carefully balanced compositions, these paintings possess an intensity and focus that distinguish them from many of his contemporaries. His practice of rotating the board while painting often created highly concentrated centres and rhythmic directional movement within the composition.
Although not as prolific as some early Papunya painters, David Corby developed a highly disciplined visual language closely connected to ceremonial structure and traditional iconography. As the Western Desert painting movement evolved, his later works on canvas became increasingly vibrant in colour while maintaining the precision and structural clarity of his earlier paintings. These later works demonstrate his ability to adapt to larger and more expansive compositions without losing the concentrated energy of his early boards.
David Corby Tjapaltjarri was also among the younger generation of Papunya artists who helped carry the movement beyond its experimental beginnings. He travelled internationally with Aboriginal art exhibitions and was appointed Chairman of Papunya Tula Artists shortly before his untimely death in 1981.
This article is designed to assist collectors and owners in identifying authentic paintings by David Corby Tjapaltjarri. It compares examples from his early and later periods and examines the stylistic characteristics, colour palettes, and compositional structures that define his most important works within both Papunya Art and Western Desert Art.
If you own a painting that you believe may be by David Corby Tjapaltjarri, you are welcome to get in touch. I am always interested in viewing works by this artist and can provide guidance on attribution, authenticity, and current market value based on images and available provenance.
If you are undertaking research on previous sale prices please check David Corby artworks
David Corby Tjapaltjarri Early years
David Corby was the born around 1940 in the sandhill country northwest of Vaughan Springs, in Warlpiri territory. Like Billy Stockman Kaapa and Long Jack he worked as a stockman as a young man and then moved to Papunya. In Papunya, he worked as a medical auxiliary.
In 1971 Geoff Bardon became a local school teacher at Papunya primary. He tried to encourage local children to paint in their own traditional style. When he was told only older men could paint these stories he decided to start a men’s painting group.
David Corby was one of the youngest men to join this group. His early works are in muted ochred tones and depict Budgerigar, Wallaby, Emu and Witchetty Grub Dreamings. He painted on board while seated rotating the board. This gives the center of his early paintings a concentrated focus.
He was not as prolific as many other artists in the group.
Although we know David was painting before 1972 his earliest known work is from 1973.
He was skin brother of another important painter Tim Leura
Later Painting
His later paintings were more colorful but retained their intensity and precise linework.
He was an artist-in-residence at Flinders University in South Australia with Turkey Tolson in 1979. He traveled with aboriginal art exhibitions to New Zealand and Nigeria.
His short life was brought to an end when, in January 1981, he drowned in a flooded creek near Mbungara. He was traveling back to Papunya where he had just been made Chairman of the Papunya Tula artists.
David Corby Tjapaltjarri references
Papunya: A place made after the Story
Early Papunya Artworks and Articles
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David Corby Tjapaltjarri Images
The following images are not the complete known work by this artist but give a good idea of his style and range.
