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Jimmy Pike Jimmy Pike i(A51530 works by)
Born: Established: 1940 Great Sandy Desert, Central desert areas, Western Australia, ; Died: Ceased: 4 Nov 2002 Derby, Kimberley area, North Western Australia, Western Australia,
Gender: Male
Heritage: Aboriginal Walmajarri / Walmatjarri ; Aboriginal
(Storyteller) assertion
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BiographyHistory

Jimmy Pike was born and grew up in the Great Sandy Desert and was a member of the Walmajarri people, one of the last groups to leave the desert and settle on cattle stations in the Kimberley during the 1950's. A former stockman on Kimberley cattle stations, Pike was imprisoned for murder in 1981. He took up painting while in prison, studying under Steven Culley and David Wroth and while imprisoned, he met Pat Lowe (q.v.).

He was released from prison in 1988 and soon after, Lowe and Pike went to live at Kurlku, about 200 kilometres from Fitzroy Crossing. In the early 1990s, they moved to Broome and Pike's career as an artist began to flourish. This country, its ancient culture and symbols are the inspiration for Jimmy Pike's work. In 1999, he became the first Australian artist to have his work displayed in the Chinese National Gallery in Beijing.

Most Referenced Works

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon Jimmy and Pat Meet the Queen Broome : Backroom Press , 1997 Z844983 1997 single work picture book children's (taught in 1 units)

'Jimmy and Pat Meet the Queen is a fantasy about Native Title, in which Jimmy, a traditional owner of land in the Great Sandy Desert, challenges the Queen to visit his camp and prove to him that she is the rightful owner of this so-called ‘vacant Crown land’. Her Majesty accepts the invitation, and soon learns what it really means to be a landowner in the Australian desert. A light-hearted look at a serious subject, suitable for readers of all ages.' 

Source: Publisher's blurb.
1998 shortlisted Western Australian Premier's Book Awards — Special Award
y separately published work icon Desert Dog Broome : Magabala Books , 1997 Z834040 1997 single work children's fiction children's

'Based on an incident in Jimmy Pike's childhood in the Great Sandy Desert, this is a magical tale for children about Spinifex, a dingo pup who is adopted by a family who live in a traditional way, moving from waterhole to waterhole. What happens to Spinifex when she encounters station life provides a strong analogy with Aboriginal peoples' first contact with Europeans. Internationally acclaimed artist Jimmy Pike's superb illustrations bring the story to life. Winner of Western Australian Premier's Children's Book Award 1998.' (Source: Magabala Books)
1998 winner Western Australian Premier's Book Awards — Premier's Prize for Writing for Children
y separately published work icon Yinti : Desert Child Broome : Magabala Books , 1992 Z844253 1992 selected work children's fiction Indigenous story children's 'Yinti, an Aboriginal child growing up in the Western Australian desert, has no contact with white people until the last chapter of the book.' Source: https://products.schools.nsw.edu.au/ (Sighted 24/11/09)
1993 shortlisted Western Australian Premier's Book Awards
VIEW ALL AWARDS
Last amended 27 Sep 2007 14:34:45
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