Louisa Napaljarri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Louisa Napaljarri
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| Born | c.1930 Ngarrupalya, west of Yuendumu, Northern Territory, Australia
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| Died | 2001 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Known for | Painting |
Louisa Lawson Napaljarri (Pupiya) (born around 1930, died 2001) was an Indigenous artist. She came from Australia's Western Desert area. Louisa spoke the Warlpiri language. She started painting in 1986 in Lajamanu, Northern Territory. Her artworks are now kept at the National Gallery of Victoria.
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About Louisa's Life
Louisa Lawson Napaljarri was born around 1926 or 1931. The exact year is not known. This is because Indigenous Australians often recorded dates differently. They might have used other events to remember when things happened.
Her "skin name" was 'Napaljarri'. This name is part of a special system. It helps show how people are related in central Australian Indigenous communities. These names also help decide who can marry whom. They are not like surnames that Europeans use. So, 'Louisa Lawson' is her personal name.
As a child, Louisa lived near Ngarrupalya. This place is west of Yuendumu. It is over 300 kilometres north-west of Alice Springs. She first met white Australians in Alice Springs. She worked as a cook at Granites, a goldmine. Her daughter, Robyn Napurrula Green, is also an artist. Louisa was also the sister of Paddy Japaljarri Sims. He was a well-known artist from Yuendumu.
Louisa was an important leader in the traditions of the Lajamanu community. She passed away in 2001.
Her Art Journey
How Modern Indigenous Art Began
Modern Indigenous art from the Western Desert started in 1971. Indigenous men in Papunya began painting. A teacher named Geoffrey Bardon helped them. They used acrylic paints. Their designs showed body painting and ground sculptures. This art quickly spread across central Australia. A government art program started in 1983. By the 1980s and 1990s, this art was shown all over the world.
At first, only men painted. This included the founders of the Papunya Tula art company. Some men in central Australia did not want women to paint. But many women wanted to join in. In the 1990s, many women started creating paintings. In places like Kintore, Yuendumu, and Balgo, people began making art. They made it especially to show and sell.
Louisa's Painting Career
Louisa Lawson was one of many artists who learned to paint in 1986. An adult education officer, John Quinn, ran a course in Lajamanu, Northern Territory. He was part of the local Technical and Further Education unit. At first, only men attended the course. But later, over a hundred community members joined. Other artists who started their careers there include Mona Napaljarri and Peggy Rockman Napaljarri. In the 1990s, Louisa was known as "one of the best painters at Lajamanu."
The National Gallery of Victoria owns Louisa's artworks. Her paintings were shown in their exhibitions. These included Mythscapes in 1989 and Paint Up Big in 1991.
Art Collections
