Collection: Mary Napanangka Napangardi James

Mary James is a Warlpiri speaker born at Warrabri Settlement (Ali Curung), now residing in Kulimindini (Elliott). She started painting in the 1980s, depicting ngurlu (seeds), wardapi (goanna), wampana (wallaby) and karlawurru (water goanna). Over time her paintings have shifted to more contemporary imagery and pattern-making, though still inspired by elements of nature such as the passing of seasons, or the comparison of wet and dry regions of the country. Mary is meticulous in her painting and has a natural sense of colour harmonies which lead to strong and very cohesive works.