Tiger Palpatja began painting at Amata in 2004, when he was already in his eighties. A respected ngangkari and accomplished maker of punu, particularly spears, Palpatja brought a lifetime of cultural knowledge and making to his emerging practice at the art centre.
Mai Tjuta – Plenty Food, 2006, belongs to this remarkably concentrated early period. Palpatja returned to this subject in several works from these years, with related Tjala Arts documentation connecting the imagery to food, water and Country. Saturated colour, open composition and strongly
articulated forms reveal the vigorous and highly individual approach that distinguished his work. Recognition came quickly. Palpatja was selected as a NATSIAA finalist in 2005 and again in 2006.