Walangkura Napanangka

Walangkura Napanangka was born C1940 in the bush at Tjiturulnga, west of Walungurru (Kintore) in the Gibson Desert, near the Western Australia/ Northern Territory border.

Her family were amongst a group of Pintupi people who made their way to the Ikuntji settlement (Haasts Bluff) in 1956. They walked hundreds of kilometres from west of the salt lake of Karrkurutinjinya (Lake Macdonald) to access the supplies of food and water on offer at the settlement. The family returned to their homelands community of Walungurru in 1981.

Walangkura lives with her husband, artist, Johnny Yungut Tjupurrula at Kintore. Her mother, Inyuwa Nampitjinpa and sister, Pirrmangka Napanangka, both deceased were also painters. Her father was Tutuma Tjapangati.

Walangkura began her painting career through participating in the historic Kintore-Haasts Bluff collaborative canvas project 'Minyma Tjukurrpa' in 1995. Her bold, strong and vibrant paintings recreate the creation stories and ceremonial sites associated with the Tjukurrpa of her Pintupi homelands.

Sabine Haider from Central Art says " its very sad and heart felt that Walangkura Napanangka has lost her sight and has not been able to paint any more."

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