Mulpuby Anmanari Napanangka

Anmanari Napanangka was born at Yateman’s Bore in the Northern Territory. In the 1940’s her family travelled throughout Central Australia as a response to the droughts at the time. During this travelling her family travelled with others, such as Tutuma Tjapanagarti’s family (Eunice Jack’s father). Eunice Jack is also a well known Aboriginal artist. The two women developed a friendship which has been maintained throughout their lives. Anmanari’s family ended their travels at Ikuntji, or more commonly known as Haasts Bluff in Central Australia, which in the 1940’s was set up as a ration station. It was here that Anmanari met and married Papunya Tula artist, Lionel Kantawarra Tjupurrula, and through him that her interest in painting developed.

Anmanari Napanangka has painted for the Ikuntji Women’s Centre and taken part in the Minyma Tjukurrpa – the women’s Dreaming project at Kintore in 1994 and 1995. Her paintings depict the Dreaming stories which belonged to her father such as the Emu, Turkey and Mopoke as well as her Dreaming “Mulpu” or Mushroom. Mantua Napanangka, Anmanari’s sister is also an artist and at times the women have collaborated on their paintings.

Anmanari is a well respected law woman who commands great respect within her community. Through her involvement with the Ikuntji Arts Centre, her painting skills are highly regarded.

She typically uses acrylic on canvas.

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