Norah Nelson Napaljarri facts for kids

Norah Nelson Napaljarri, born on October 26, 1956, is an Aboriginal artist from Australia. She speaks the Warlpiri language. Norah comes from Australia's Western Desert region. She started painting in 1986. Her art has been shown in Australia and other countries. Her paintings and pottery are part of the collection at the National Gallery of Victoria.

About Norah Nelson Napaljarri

Haasts Bluff, where Norah Nelson was born.

Norah Nelson was born in a place called Haasts Bluff, in the Northern Territory. This was on October 26, 1956. Haasts Bluff is located north-west of Alice Springs. She married an artist named Jakamarra Frank 'Bronson' Nelson. He passed away before 1994.

Understanding Skin Names

'Napaljarri' is a special name used by Warlpiri-speaking people. In other Western Desert languages, it is 'Napaltjarri'. These are called 'skin names'. They are part of a system used by Indigenous people in central Australia. This system helps define family relationships. It also helps decide who people can marry. Skin names can be used to address someone. However, they are not like surnames that Europeans use. So, 'Norah Nelson' is the part of her name that is unique to her.

Norah Nelson's Art Journey

The Start of Indigenous Art

Modern Indigenous art from the Western Desert began in 1971. Indigenous men in a place called Papunya started painting. A teacher named Geoffrey Bardon helped them. They used acrylic paints to create designs. These designs often looked like body paintings or ground sculptures. This new art style quickly spread across central Australia. A government art program started in 1983, helping it grow even more. By the 1980s and 1990s, this art was shown all over the world.

At first, only men were painting. Many of the first artists were men. Some men in central Australia did not want women to paint. But many women wanted to create art too. In the 1990s, many women began to paint. In communities like Yuendumu, people started making art specifically to show and sell.

Norah's Artistic Career

Norah first painted in 1986. She helped her husband with his art. By 1987, she was creating her own artworks. As of 2004, she lived in Yuendumu. She painted for the Warlukurlangu Artists, which is an Indigenous art center there.

Western Desert artists often paint specific 'dreamings'. These are traditional stories or designs. Artists have personal rights or responsibilities for these stories. Norah's dreamings include Karntjarra (Two Women), Ngaru (bush plum), Ngarlkirdi (witchetty grub), and Pangkurlangu (Giant) stories. She has also painted a series of works about the Yiwarra (Milky Way) dreaming. She got permission from the senior person in charge of that dreaming, Paddy Sims. One of her Milky Way designs was chosen for a mosaic. This mosaic is at the new court building for the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory.

Where Norah's Art Is Shown

Galleries in Australia and other countries have shown Norah's art. These include Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi in Melbourne, Australia. Her work has also been shown at the Lowe Art Museum in the United States. The National Gallery of Victoria in Australia also has her art. Her paintings are held in important Australian collections. These include the private Holmes à Court collection. Her work is also in the public collection of the National Gallery of Victoria.

Art Collections Featuring Norah Nelson's Work

• Holmes à Court collection
• National Gallery of Victoria
• Supreme Court of the Northern Territory