Artists

Yunkurra was born at Weld Springs, also known as Well 9 on the Canning Stock Route. He grew up in the country and around Wiluna, but returned north to his traditional country, which includes Lake Disappointment, Savory Creek and Jilakurru; closer to Well 24 on the Canning Stock Route

Bugai was born at Pukayiyirna, on present day Balfour Downs Station, though her parents soon travelled northward with her through Jigalong and Nullagine toward Kunawarritji.

Corbans family is from Jigalong, but he has grown up in Newman, and lives there today. Corban paints about his Nyamu (Grandfather’s) Country, Kaalpa (Well 23 on the Canning Stock Route).His paintings depict important landmarks of Country, and demonstrate Corban as an exciting new voice in the contemporary tradition of Martu art.  

Cyril's mother's and Father's country is Jartuti. He is the grandson of senior Martumili Artists Bugai Whyoulter and Pinyirr (dec.).

Dadda was born at Old Jigalong, a ration depot situated on the Rabbit Proof Fence before the Jigalong Mission was established. She walked around the country east of Jila Kurru with her mother, father and three brothers. Her parents were both Kartujarra. In the late 1930’s, when droving had intensified, Dadda’s family left the desert and walked in to Jigalong. There they met up with the Samson, Kelly, Jeffries, Atkins, Sammy and Kadibil families.

Doreen Chapman was born at Jigalong Mission in the early 1970’s, though she soon moved with her family to newly Aboriginal owned Strelley Station. Today Doreen primarily lives in Warralong community, and paints between art centres Spinifex Hill Studios and Martumili Artists.

Helen Samson is the younger sister of Lily Long and Amy French, but unlike her sisters, she was born in Jigalong mission and has no memory of her parents. She grew up in the dormitory at Jigalong, but spent her weekends and holidays in the bush with her extended family.

Jakayu was born near Pitu, east of Well 25, and grew up in Manyjilyjarra Country around Kunawarritji, Wikirri, Rarrki, Wantili, Nyilangkurr and Nyinyari.

Anya is the granddaughter of Dadda Samson and Yanjimi (Peter) Rowlands, both senior Martu artists. She was born in Port Hedland and has lived most of her life in Jigalong, being raised by her grandparents Dadda and Yanjimi, as her parents passed away when she was very young.

Kumpaya was born near Kiwirrkura and walked all around that area with her family in her youth. Her brothers include the established artists Charlie Wallabi, Helicopter and Patrick Tjungurrayi. Kumpaya grew up, married and had children while living a nomadic life

Lily was born at Karlamilyi (Rudall River) and her Warnman name, Jartarr, is a seed which can be used to make a tasty seed-damper. Lily's father was a Warnman man who travelled a long way east into Pitjantjatjara country, stole Lily’s mother and took her back to Karlamilyi. Lily grew up around Tiwa with her family. Lily now lives in Nullagine with her sister, children and grandchildren.

May Chapman (May Wokka) is the eldest sister of fellow Martumili Artists Nancy Nyanjilpayi Chapman, Mulyatingki Marney and Marjorie Yates (dec.). Her mother was Warnman and her father was Manyjilyjarra. Their country is around Punmu, Kunawarritji and Karlamilyi River.

Minyawe grew up in the Punmu area with his sister and fellow artist Nancy Taylor, and many other family members. As a young man, he walked long distances carrying only his tajitaji (smouldering stick) and his jurna (hunting stick). He ate bush foods such as warmula (bush tomatoes), and hunted for all kinds of kuwiyi (meat) including emu, pussycat, marlu (kangaroo).

Mulyatingki was born around 1941 at Nyinyari. Her mother was Warnman and her father was Manyilyjarra. Their country encompasses the Punmu, Kunawarritji and Karlamilyi River regions.

Muuki was born in 1945 at Wayinkurungu. His family walked across the entire Great Sandy Desert, north to Joanna Springs and south to Parnngurr. Muuki is a very senior and knowledgeable Martu man and is often called upon as an authority by other artists.

Karnu was a Warnman woman from Karlamilyi, and the younger sister of Minyawe Miller, highly regarded senior Martumili Artist. As a young woman, she and her family travelled extensively in the Karlamilyi region, losing close family members at Kurrka, Nullagine and Wirtilwirtil (near Woody Woody gold mine). Karnu painted the country around Karlamilyi, including Japarli, Yaralalyu.

Nancy Chapman is the sister of fellow senior Martumili Artists Mulyatingki Marney, May Chapman and Marjorie Yates (dec). As children, Nyanjilpayi and her family walked around the area between Punmu and Kunawarritji communities.

Ngamaru was born at Martilirri (Well 22 on the Canning Stock Route), the eldest of four siblings. As a child, Ngamaru walked around with her family, moving from water source to water source dependent on the seasonal rain cycles.

Nola was born at Wirrinyalkujarra, north east of Punmu. Her mother was Warnman and Ngaanyatjarra and her father was a Ngaanyatjarra man. When Nola was a child, her family walked around the Wirnpa and Kirriwirri areas, often meeting with Martu families coming from the north and west. Although they knew about whitefellas and station and mission life, Nola’s father was determined to remain living in the desert.

Nora Nungabar was born near Lipuru (Well 37 on the Canning Stock Route), and remembers her mother looking after her in a hollow in the side of a sand hill. She grew up in the country that became Wells 33 - 38 along the Canning Stock Route.

Nora Wompi was born in the Great Sandy Desert in Lilparu, close to Well 33, on the Canning Stock Route. She grew up in the desert, primarily to the north and east of Punmu and Kunawarritji communities. When she was young, her parents often went hunting and left her in the care of her older brother.

Thelma was born in the Percival Lakes region. As a child she and her three siblings stayed close to the major water sources while her parents went out hunting. After lengthy pursuit, Thelma’s family was convinced by Martu trackers to move into Jigalong Mission.

Wokka was born in Kulyakartu, far kayili (north) of the Martu homelands near the Percival Lakes area. Kulyakartu is a very important area to the artist and his family. They would travel there during the pujiman (desert born) days in the wet season. The area, predominately grass planes, was renowned as an excellent site for hunting.