Wintjiya (Winnie) Napaljarri Australia (Aboriginal), 1932-2014
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About Wintjiya (Winnie) Napaljarri
Wintjiya Napaljarri, also known as Winnie Napaljarri, was an Indigenous Australian artist from the Warlpiri language group, located in the Western Desert region of Australia. She was born in the 1920s in the Tanami Desert and grew up living a traditional nomadic lifestyle with her family. Napaljarri began painting in the late 1980s, after being introduced to art by her niece Bessie Nakamarra Sims. Her paintings often feature bold colors and geometric patterns that reflect the natural environment and cultural traditions of the Warlpiri people. Throughout her career, Wintjiya Napaljarri's art was exhibited widely in Australia and internationally. Her work was featured in several major exhibitions, including the National Gallery of Australia and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. One of Napaljarri's most famous works is a painting titled "Warnayaka Dreaming", which depicts the story of a group of women gathering food and performing ceremonies in the Tanami Desert. The painting is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria. Wintjiya Napaljarri passed away in 2017.
The earliest auction listing we have for Wintjiya (Winnie) Napaljarri is in 1999 and in total 48 works by the artist have been offered for sale, of which 37 (77%) were sold. The highest price recorded for the artist is $36,000 for Sandhills sold by Sotheby's in July 2009. No works have been offered for sale this year, and the last sale we have recorded for the artist was in 2023. Works by Wintjiya (Winnie) Napaljarri are held by the National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of NSW and a further three major public national galleries (see list below).
Wintjiya (Winnie) Napaljarri is listed in the following standard biographical references:
- McCulloch, Alan McCulloch, Susan McCulloch, Emily McCulloch-Childs. The New McCulloch's Encyclopedia of Australian Art. 4th Edition, Aus Art Melbourne & The Miegunyah Press, 2006. Page 84
- Australian Prints + Printmaking, a database listing printmaking artists from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region based on the print collection of the National Gallery of Australia.
Artists' Resale Royalty
Could the second and subsequent works by this artist sold after June 9, 2010 for over $1,000 be liable for the Artists' Resale Royalty? More info…
Yes, eligible, subject to the artist satisfying the residency test. The artist is alive or has been deceased for less than 70 years. Contact the Copyright Agency for information on the residency test.
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