Alice Nampitjinpa Dixon was born near Talaalpi, a swamp east of Walungurru on the Western Australian border. Prior to her painting, Dixon worked at the Kintore School for many years, teaching young girls dancing and the traditions of the desert people.
Dixon started painting on the “Minyama Tjukurrpa”, the Kintore Haasts Bluff collaborative canvas project. As a painter, she was inspired by her rich cultural heritage, and thrived when involved with her stories and lore. She was an active “dancing woman” who travels widely to participate in annual ceremonies and “Women’s Law” meetings. Dixon’s Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) is the porcupine or Tjilkamata. Her story is told in bright colours, often utilizing orange and yellow to mirror the ochres that are used in ceremonial body painting. In her tjukurrpa story there is often the porcupine scurrying about rock holes and hiding places looking for tucker while nearby the women are themselves hunting, laying in wait for the porcupine.
Dixon’s father was the late Uta Uta Tjangala, who was one of the original Papunya Tula painters. His Tjukurrpa is Pungkalungka at Takpalangu. Pungkalungkas are dangerous, and sometimes kill and eat people. They live in huge caves in the hills. Dixon’s only paints the entrance to the caves to signify the unknown danger of the monster that dwells within. Her father’s country is Ngurrapalangu, and her Tjukurrpa was passed to her from this place - the porcupine was travelling through the sand hills and passing near the two carpet snakes, Kuniya Kutjarra, who were living underneath the water.
Dixon also enjoyed other crafts and was involved in producing hand-spindled hairstring for ceremonies and ininiti necklaces and mats.
Dixon passed away in December 2020.