Collection: Khatija Possum

DOB: 1989
Born: Alice Springs, NT
Language Group: Anmatyerre
Community: Alice Springs, NT

Khatija Possum was born in Alice Springs in 1989. She is the granddaughter of Clifford Possum Tjapaltjairri, AO (c. 1937 – 2002), Australia’s most celebrated Aboriginal artist. Clifford’s art hangs in all of the major collections and museums worldwide, he presented his art to the Queen, and features in numerous important publications on the Masters of Australian Art.

Khatija is the eldest daughter of senior artist Michelle Possum Nungurrayi and Heath Tjangala. Michelle learned traditional stories from her father and started painting dreams such as women’s ceremonies and women’s country. Khatijia started observing her mother’s style and as stories passed from generation to generation, she started painting grandmother’s dreaming. Michelle, along with her older sister Gabriella, were taught to paint by Clifford and they both carry forward the traditional stories, style and much of the iconography of Clifford Possum, albeit with stronger colour and the addition of women’s ceremonial stories and other women’s dreamings.

This exciting young artist is making a huge impression on the art world and we have no doubt she will have a long and successful career.

Khatija currently lives with her partner John Hayes in Mel.