Alfonso 
Puautjimi

Alfonso Puautjimi is a widely exhibited major artist well known for his natural ochre works on paper and canvas, Alfonso has been painting with the Ngaruwanajirri group since 1997. The themes of his paintings are drawn from his culture and environment. Images of Tutini (pukumani poles), figures and birds as still life groupings of carvings as seen in the art centre and his imaginative versions of the local landscape including trees, boats, planes and cars are most frequently seen as well as abstract patterns.

Alfonso uses natural ochre thickly. With bold brush strokes and generous paint application he applies black outlines over broad areas of colour, finishing with another layer of colour. The resulting art has an earthy tactile texture. Recently he has tried etching with great success. Alfonso has been a continuous presence at the Ngaruwanajirri Art Centre for over two decades and has exhibited extensively since 2002 including solo exhibitions in NSW and Vic. Carved Tutini from several other Ngaruwanajirri artists are sometimes commissioned to accompany painting shows. 

Alfonso’s work is held in public and private collections including the Charles Darwin University Art Collection, Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, the Art Gallery of South Australia, Newcastle University Art Collection NSW and the Lam Collection, University of San Antonio, USA.