Parara Napaltjarri facts for kids

Parara Napaltjarri (born around 1944–died 2003) was an important Indigenous artist. She spoke the Pintupi language. Parara came from the Western Desert area of Australia. Her beautiful paintings are kept in the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

About Parara Napaltjarri

Parara was born around 1944 or 1945. It's hard to know the exact year because Indigenous Australians often track time differently. They might remember dates by comparing them to other big events.

What is a Skin Name?

'Napaltjarri' is a special name called a 'skin name'. It's used by Indigenous people in central Australia. Skin names help show how people are related to each other. They also help decide who can marry whom. These names are not like last names in European cultures. So, 'Parara' is the part of her name that is truly hers.

Her Family and Life

Parara had several brothers and sisters. These included Yakari Napaltjarri, Joseph Jurra Tjapaltjarri, and Payu Napaltjarri. Their parents were Anmanari Nangala and Kirindji Kuku Tjungurrayi. Parara and her sister Payu were both married to Freddy West Tjakamarra. Freddy West was also married to another artist named Takariya Napaltjarri. In 1963, Parara moved to a place called Papunya with Freddy West. She passed away in 2003.

Her Art

How Western Desert Art Began

Modern Indigenous art from the Western Desert started in 1971. This happened when Indigenous men in Papunya began painting. A teacher named Geoffrey Bardon helped them. They used acrylic paints to create designs. These designs often looked like traditional body paintings or ground sculptures.

This new art style quickly became popular across central Australia. A government art program started in 1983, helping it spread even more. By the 1980s and 1990s, this art was shown all over the world.

Women Artists Join In

At first, only men were the artists, especially the founders of the Papunya Tula art company. Some Pintupi men in central Australia didn't want women to paint. But many women wanted to share their stories through art. In the 1990s, many Indigenous women started painting. In communities like Kintore, Yuendumu, and Balgo, people began making art to sell and show in galleries.

Parara's Painting Career

Parara started painting for the famous Papunya Tula artists cooperative in June 1996. Her sister Payu also began painting for them at the same time. The Art Gallery of New South Wales owns some of Parara's work. One of her paintings from 1996 is called Women's Business at Marapinti. This painting shows women's ceremonies at a special waterhole site. This site is called Marapinti and is west of Kiwirrkurra Community, Western Australia.

Art Collections

• Art Gallery of New South Wales