In association with Warlukurlangu Artists, we are very pleased to offer you a selection of paintings from senior and emerging artists.

Warlukurlangu, or Warlu for short, is a thriving art centre located in Yuendumu, west of Alice Springs. It services artists young and old in Yuendumu and surrounding communities.

Warlu’s style is based in traditional Western Desert iconography and mark making. Over the decades, it has evolved into a dynamic and diverse representation of its many artists.

We’re excited to present these handpicked works for you. They represent a range of senior and younger emerging artists.

Peggy Nampijinpa Brown (b. 1941) has been painting at Warlu since 1988. Her main Jukurrpa (dreaming) is Warlukurlangu, the fire country story from where the art centre takes its name. Peggy is very active in community work and was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her leadership in the Mt Theo Petrol Sniffing Program.

Margaret Nangala Gallagher (b. 1967) lives in Nyirripi community and paint at Warlu with her mother, fellow artist, Pauline Napangardi Gallagher. Margaret learnt to paint by watching her mother, and says that working with mother allows them to share cultural knowledge. Her main Jukurrpa is Yankirri Jakurrpa (Emu Dreaming) from her father’s side; this Jukurrpa story belongs to Jangala/Jampijinpa men and Nangala/Nampijinpa women.

Valerie Napanangka Marshall (b. 1980) lives in Nyirripi community and has been painting with Warlukurlangu since 2001. She paints her father’s Jukurrpa, Pikyli, and the Karnta Jukurrpa (Women’s Dreaming). Her style is a contemporary take on traditional Western Desert iconography. Aside from painting, Valerie is a keen hunter.

Vanetta Nampijinpa Hudson (b. 2000) is one of the promising emerging talents at Warlu, and one of the younger artists. She began painting at the art centre in 2017. Her works are fresh and intricately woven interpretation of her father’s Warlukurlangu Jukurrpa (Fire Dreaming).

Tess Napaljarri Ross (b. 1949) is one of the earlier artists at Warlu.  Shortly after moving to Yuendumu as a young girl, her father died. Her mother married local painter, Larry Jungarrayi Spencer (1919-1990), one of the artists who painted the famous Yuendumu school doors. Jungarrayi taught Tess to paint the patterns and designs of Yarri Pirlangu, a place south of Yuendumu.

Patrick Japangardi Williams (b. 1975) has been with the art centre since 2012. He was inspired to join after watching his wife paint. His exquisite dotting creates a a powerful, undulating energy that moves across the canvas. Patrick paints his grandfather’s Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming) and his father’s Mina Mina Jukurrpa.

Selina Napanganka Fisher (b. 1982) has been painting at Warlu since 2006, however her artistic training started early. As a little girl, she would sit with her grandmother, the late, well-known Topsy Napurrurla Fisher, and watch her paint. Topsy taught her Jukurrpa stories. Selina paints her father’s Pikilyi Jukurrpa (Vaughan Springs Dreaming) and Karnta Jukurrpa (Women’s Dreaming), which she expresses in joyful colours and crisp rows of curving lines and roundels.

Lynette Nangala Singleton (b. 1970) lives in Nyirripi and has been at Warlu since 2008. She paints her father’s Jukurrpa stories, especially those relating to a rock hole west of Lake McKay. Her main Jukurrpa themes are Karnta (Women) and Ngapa (Water). Lynette’s colourful style is typical of Warlukurlangu; her painting alludes to a mapping of Country where significant topographical features are indicated, the most important being water.