Mitjili Napurrula Biography
Ca. 1945-2019Language Group: Luritja / Pintupi Mitjili Napurrula was a celebrated Indigenous Australian artist from the Pintupi people. Growing up amidst the vastness of the Northern Territory in Papunya and later moving to Haast’s Bluff with her spouse, her art was deeply rooted in the spiritual traditions of her people. Napurrula’s brother, Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula, was a founding member of the Papunya Tula Artists cooperative, the first organised Indigenous Australian art centre. Napurrula started painting in the early 1990s with her husband, Long Tom Tjapanangka. In 1999, her work gained global recognition after she won the Alice Springs Art Price, showcasing Indigenous Australian culture on an international stage. The majority of Napurrula’s paintings depict watiya tjuta (Acacia tree), a native tree that is related to a Pintupi spear straightening ceremony. Though she inherited this Dreaming from her father, it was taught passed down to her by her mother after her father’s passing – hence cementing a profound female perspective on a subject matter related to men’s business. Napurrula's style was defined by bold geometric patterns and vibrant colours, reflecting the stories and landscapes of her homeland. Her art challenged stereotypes, paving the way for the next generation of Indigenous Australian artists.
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