Tiger Palpatja was an Australian aboriginal artist born around 1920 (though the exact year is not known). His family lived a traditional nomadic life in the bushland around Piltati. Tiger grew up on the mission and learned to speak a little English in school. He eventually got married to a woman named Nyalapanytja, and they lived in Ernabella for many years where he worked on the station, shearing sheep and building fences.

When he got older, Tiger became a ngangkaṟi (traditional healer), an important and respected role in traditional Pitjantjatjara communities. He started painting in September of 2004, less than eight years before his death. He had never painted before this and was better known for woodworking, especially making spears. Although he only began painting in his final years, his work quickly became recognized by critics.