Katherine Nakamarra

Katherine Nakamarra, born around 1968, is the daughter of renowned Pintupi artists Johnny Tjupurrula and Walangkura Napanangka. She belongs to a family influential in the Western Desert art tradition, with her maternal aunty Pirrmangka Napanangka and grandmother Inyuwa Nampitjinpa also recognised artists. Katherine, along with her sisters Debra Young Nakamarra and Lorraine Yungut Nakamarra, learned to depict Dreaming stories and cultural symbols through their mother's teachings. Katherine’s artistic style reflects the influence of the Papunya Tula movement, especially her mother's bold dot-painting techniques. However, she has developed her own approach by refining her colour palette and representation of ceremonial sites. Her artworks often depict sacred women's sites, particularly Muruntji and Tjintjintjin, located near Kintore. Concentric circles in her paintings represent these ceremonial sites, while connecting lines symbolise ancient travelling paths linking them. Katherine has exhibited her work in several galleries, including solo and group exhibitions at Japingka Gallery in Fremantle. Selected exhibitions include Katherine Marshall Nakamarra (2011) and Mini Masters: Small Works (2014) at Japingka Gallery. © Adrian Newstead