Nyanyma Napangardi

 Nyanyma Napangardi is a Pintupi artist and respected elder from the Kintore region in the Western Desert of the Northern Territory. Born in the early 1940s, Nyanyma was raised in the bush, living a traditional lifestyle deeply connected to her Country, culture, and the Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) that underpins all aspects of Pintupi life.

Following the government-led resettlements of the mid-20th century, Nyanyma moved with her family to Papunya, and later to Kintore, where she became actively involved in the early years of the outstation movement and the preservation of language, culture, and law. It was here that she began painting, drawing from a deep well of cultural knowledge inherited from her ancestors.

Nyanyma’s artworks often focus on sacred women’s stories, ceremonial sites, and the journeys of ancestral beings across the desert. Her paintings are known for their delicate dotting, earthy tones, and a sense of quiet strength. Each work maps out a spiritual geography, marking the places where important events occurred and where knowledge continues to be held and passed on.

As one of the few senior women painting in the early days of the Western Desert art movement, Nyanyma’s contributions have been significant, helping to bring visibility to women’s cultural narratives within a broader art world context. Her paintings have been exhibited across Australia and are held in various public and private collections.

Beyond her artistic practice, Nyanyma Napangardi is recognised for her leadership within community, especially in the areas of language preservation, women’s law, and intergenerational teaching. Her life and work remain a testament to the enduring strength of Pintupi culture, the authority of women, and the role of art in sustaining Country and connection.