Lucy Napaljarri Kennedy facts for kids

Lucy Napaljarri Kennedy AM (born around 1926) is an important Indigenous Australian artist. She speaks the Walpiri and Anmatyerre languages. Lucy comes from the Western Desert area of Australia.

She was one of the first Indigenous women artists to use acrylic paints. Her artwork has been shown in major galleries across Australia. The National Gallery of Victoria owns some of her pieces. In 1994, she was made a Member of the Order of Australia. This award recognized her great service to the Yuendumu community.

About Lucy Napaljarri Kennedy

Lucy Napaljarri Kennedy was born about 1926. The exact year is not always known for Indigenous Australians. This is because they often track time differently. They might remember dates by comparing them to other big events.

Understanding Her Name

'Napaljarri' is a special "skin name" in the Warlpiri language. It is like a family group name. These names are part of a system that shows how people are related. They help decide who can marry whom. They are also linked to certain animal or plant totems. Skin names are not like European surnames. So, 'Lucy Kennedy' is the part of her name that is just for her.

Her Role in the Community

Lucy is a respected elder in the Yuendumu, Northern Territory community. Besides being a working artist, she was also on the Yuendumu community council. In 1994, she received the Member of the Order of Australia award. This was for her important work and dedication to the Yuendumu community.

Lucy Kennedy's Art Journey

Lucy Napaljarri Kennedy is known for her amazing artwork. She uses bright acrylic paints to tell stories.

The Start of Western Desert Art

Modern Indigenous art in the Western Desert began in 1971. Indigenous men in Papunya started painting with acrylics. A teacher named Geoffrey Bardon helped them. Their paintings showed designs from body painting and ground sculptures. This art style quickly spread across central Australia. A government art program in 1983 helped it grow even more. By the 1980s and 1990s, this art was shown all over the world.

At first, only men were painting. But many women also wanted to create art. In the 1990s, many Indigenous women began painting. In places like Kintore, Yuendumu, and Balgo, people started making art to sell and show.

Her Painting Career

Lucy is known as "one of the first women painters to paint on canvas with acrylics." Her art has been shown in many places. Some experts say that senior women were the first to paint with acrylics in Yuendumu in 1983. This was even before the men started.

It is likely that Lucy Kennedy was one of these first painters. These women worked together to create enough art to buy a vehicle for their community. Lucy Kennedy's paintings have been part of shows at the Araluen Centre for Arts and Entertainment in Alice Springs. Her art has also been shown at the South Australian Museum (1988, 1989). It was also seen at the Auckland Art Gallery (1991) and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (2000). Lucy also worked on a group painting in 1997. This work, called Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming), is now at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Printmaking Work

Besides painting, Lucy Kennedy has also made prints. In 2003, she created works with the Northern Australia Print Workshop. These prints were called miinypa jukurrpa. This means native red fuchsia dreaming. Examples of these prints are kept at the National Gallery of Australia.

Where Her Art Is Kept

Lucy Napaljarri Kennedy's artworks are held in important collections. These include:

• Art Gallery of South Australia
• Australian Museum
• Museum of Mankind, British Museum
• Flinders University Art Museum
• Musée national des Arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie
• National Gallery of Australia
• National Gallery of Victoria
• South Australian Museum