Title

Skipper, Peter.

Author

Australian Art Print Network.

Source

[Not applicable]

Publication date

2001

Type

Biography

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

Peter Pijaju Skipper

Peter Skipper was born around 1929. He is a Jangkarti man from Japingka country, on the western side of the Great Sandy Desert. Forced to leave his home country as a young man, he ventured into a cattle station. He recalls being scared, because he had never seen white men, cattle, or cars before. His life changed markedly when he began working with horses and cattle on the stations.

He later moved to Fitzroy Crossing where he was affected by the evangelistic zeal of the fundamentalist United Aboriginal Mission which was established in Fitzroy Crossing in the 1950s. After being introduced to Christianity he became active in translating the Bible into Walmajarri language.

Skipper is an individual artist of great imagination. His paintings resonate with ancient symbolic references connected to Aboriginal religion in the land of his youth, but many also have illustrative and pictorial narratives. He is a committee member of Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency, based in Fitzroy Crossing. His works are held by major Australian institutions, including the National Gallery of Australia; Art Gallery of Western Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria.

Biography courtesy of the Australian Art Print Network, 2001.

© Australianprints

Last Updated

22 Jul 2023