Jorna Newberry

Jorna began painting in the mid-1990's at Warakurna, creating work for casual collectors Later she joined the Irrunytju arts centre and started painting for this group. Over recent years she has worked closely alongside her legendary uncle, Tommy Watson. She follows his instruction to favour abstraction as a stylistic mode to ensure secrecy of important cultural matters, rather than taking the more figurative approach. She says Tommy has had a big influence on me. He teaches me to be respectful in the way I paint.