Janet Nakamarra Long

Born at Anningie in 1960, Janet Long is a Warlpiri speaker whose traditional country is Wantapari. Her aunts, May and Molly Napurrurla, showed her the body paint designs for Warntapari Dreaming. She began painting on small boards in 1989 when the Willowra store first began stocking paint and canvas to supply local artists. Her half brother, Malcolm Jagamarra, showed her how to paint in the new medium. On canvas, she traditionally paints Frog, Snake, Orphan Child and Witchetty Grub Dreamings. Janet Long was the literacy worker at Willowra school, and produced bi-lingual literature for use in the teaching program. She has lived most of her life in Willowra, but her bi-lingualism and skill in dealing with western systems are increasingly drawing her into wider contacts, including research assistance in the gathering of biographical data on the Willowra artists. All statements recorded in Vivien Johnson’s “Aboriginal Artists of the Western Desert” from Willowra artists were gathered and translated into English by Janet. She plans to study law in Lismore during 2007 and later practice law at Alice Springs. Currently most of her paintings depict Ngapa or Water Dreaming, showing the underground water sources that flow below the ground in the Tanami Desert. Her intricate, flowing style captivates audiences the world over.