Judy Napangardi Watson

Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri

Judy Napangardi Watson is a senior female painter from the Yuendumu community in the Northern Territory.  Born c. 1925 at Yarungkanji, Mt Doreen Station, she is well known for the distinctive style of painting that she developed alongside her sister Maggie Watson. These two women lived for long periods at Mina Mina and Yingipurlangu, their ancestral country located on the border of the Tanami and Gibson Deserts.

The combination of vivid colour, highly detailed works and high-level composition have led to widespread appreciation in the art world.  Judy is at the forefront of a move towards more abstract rendering of Jukurrpa by Warlpiri arists, however her work retains strong kurruwarri, the details which tell of the sacredness of place and song in her culture.  Judy's Jukurrpa (dreamings) are Ngarlyipi (Snake Vine), Karnta (Woman), Mina Mina, and Kanakurlangu.

Judy Napangardi Watson's work has been shown in several exhibitions throughout Australia and overseas and is included in major collections including the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.

Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri is a Pintjantjatjara man born in the 1920's at Pirupa Akla, country located near the Olgas and to the west of Ayers Rock.  Whiskey practiced as a witch doctor or traditional healer and took a job as a cook whilst living at the Haasts Bluff mission. His nickname Whiskey is a derivation of whiskers, referring to Whiskers long white beard.

Later in life Whiskey moved with his wife and children to Amunturrungu where he still lives today.  He began painting in 2004 and his paintings depict the Rockholes near Pirupa, Ayers Rock and the story of his own journeys to Areyonga and Haasts Bluff.  The bright colours in his work are said to reflect the character of the man-bold colourful and strong in spirit.

Whiskey has held near sell out shows in 2006 and 2007 in Australia and has exhibited internationally in Copenhagen and London. "He is simply a knockout painter"- exclaims writer Susan McColloch- "his works also have a consistency of quality-impressive for their balance of colour, design, fluidity and formalism".