Milky Way Dreamingby Norah Napaljarri Nelson

Norah Napaljarri Nelson was born at Haasts Bluff in central Australia on 26th October 1956.

Norah first painted in 1986, assisting her husband, but was creating works in her own right by 1987. As of 2004 she was living in Yuendumu and painted for the Indigenous Art centre Warlukurlangu Artists.

Norah's Nelson Napaljarri Dreaming stories she depicts in her work are Karntjarra (Two Women), Ngaru (bush plum), Ngarlkirdi (witchetty grub) and Pangkurlangu (Giant) dreamings . She has also painted a series of works based on the Yiwarra (milky way) with the permission of from senior custodian at Yuendumu, Paddy Sims. One of this series was chosen as the design for a mosaic at the new court complex for the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory.

Norah began painting by assisting her husband the well-know artist Bronson (Frank) Jakamarra Nelson (passed away) , however in 1987 Norah emerged as an artist in her own right.

In 1991 Norah Napaljarri Nelson's acclaimed artwork, Milky Way Dreaming, was made into the mosaic that graces the main concourse of the Northern Territory's Courthouse. Norah's career, as an Aboriginal artist spans over 16years and began when she exhibited in a show devoted to Aboriginal women artists at the Esplanade Gallery in Darwin 1987. Since 1988, Norah has featured works in eleven exhibitions across cities in Australia and Madrid.

Norah principally painted for Warlukurlangu Artists, such stories as Yiwarra (Milky Way), Witchetty Grub, Ngaru (Bush Plum), and Karntjarra (Two Women). Sadly, Norah's career has slowed down due to her suffering an illness.

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