Yinarupa Nangala facts for kids

Yinarupa Nangala was born around 1961 or 1958. She is a Pintupi woman from Western Australia, living near the Kiwirrkurra community. Yinarupa is a famous artist whose paintings are shown in big art collections. These include the Art Gallery of NSW, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, and the National Gallery of Victoria.

Yinarupa Nangala's Art Journey

Yinarupa Nangala started painting in 1996. This was when her children were older. In the late 2000s, people started to notice her unique painting style. It was a classic Pintupi style.

Awards and Recognition

Yinarupa has won many important art awards. In 2009, she won the Telstra General Painting Award. This was at the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards. These awards are held in the Northern Territory.

She was also a finalist for this same award several times. She was a finalist in 2008, 2014, 2015, and 2016. Being a finalist means her art was among the best chosen.

In 2010, she received a special mention at the 36th Alice Art Prize. In 2014, she was a finalist in the Wynne Prize. This prize is held at the Art Gallery of NSW.

Yinarupa has shown her art in many exhibitions. She has had shows all by herself and also group shows with other artists. Her paintings are kept in major art collections. These include the Art Gallery of NSW, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, and the National Gallery of Victoria.

What Her Art Means

Yinarupa's paintings show her traditional land. She paints places that are very important to Pintupi women. These places are used for their special ceremonies.

Sacred Designs and Symbols

Many of her designs are connected to specific rock-hole sites. One is Mukula, near Juniper Well in Western Australia. Another is Marrapinti, which is west of the Pollock Hills in Western Australia.

Her art also shows women gathering bushfoods. These foods include kampurrarrpa berries, also known as desert raisins. Another food is pura, or bush tomatoes.

In her paintings, you can often see 'U' shapes. These shapes represent the women. The circles in her art represent the berries they gather.

About Yinarupa's Family

Yinarupa Nangala comes from a family of artists. Her father was Anatjari Tjampitjinpa. He was one of the first artists to be part of the Papunya Tula art movement. This movement helped Aboriginal artists share their culture through painting.

Her husband, who has passed away, was Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi. He was also a famous artist from the Papunya Tula group.