Judy Napangardi Watson facts for kids
Judy Napangardi Watson (born around 1925 – died 2016) was a famous Aboriginal Australian artist. She was also known as Judy Watson Napangardi and Kumanjayi Napangardi Watson. Judy was a very important female painter from the Yuendumu community in the Northern Territory, Australia.
Life Story
Judy was born around 1925 at a place called Yarungkanji, on Mount Doreen Station. Her people, the Warlpiri, lived a traditional way of life back then. This meant they often traveled long distances on foot. They journeyed to their special ancestral lands near the Tanami and Gibson Deserts. They also lived at Mina Mina and Yingipurlangu at different times.
Judy Napangardi Watson had ten children. She passed away in Yuendumu on May 17, 2016.
Her Art Work
Judy Napangardi Watson started painting in the 1980s. She used a special style called "dragged dotting." Her paintings were known for their bright colors and amazing details. She also created very well-balanced pictures. People all over the art world loved her work.
Her paintings often showed the Mina Mina country. This is a very important place to her people. Judy was part of the Warlukurlangu Artists community in Yuendumu.
She developed her unique painting style with her sister, Maggie Napangardi Watson. Maggie taught her many painting skills. Judy was a very important artist in contemporary Indigenous Australian art.
Where to See Her Art
You can find Judy Napangardi Watson's beautiful art in many galleries around the world:
- Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney
- Aboriginal Art Museum, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Gordon Darling Foundation, Canberra
- Flinders University Art Museum, Adelaide
- National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
- Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin
- South Australian Museum, Adelaide
- Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA
- Stamp Gallery of Art, College Park, Maryland, USA
