Kim Butler Napurrula

Kim was the daughter of acclaimed artist Anatjari Tjakamarra, who became part of the original group of painting men that formed around Geoffrey Bardon at Papunya in 1971. He was also one of the original Papunya Tula shareholders when the company formed at the end of 1972. Anatjari Tjakamarra was one of a family group who were some of the last people out of the desert. They began walking into Papunya in 1966.
Kim was also the daughter of Katarra Napaltjarri, Katarra was the second wife of Anatjari Tjakamarra, her older sister being his first wife, Nguya. Katarra was born in Tjukurla, Western Australia and she was transported to Papunya by truck in 1966. Katarra names Maki, Kim and Jason as her children, although it is believed that they were born to Nguya, her sister. Katarra has been painting alongside acclaimed artists such as Ningura Napurrula in Kintore since 2001.
Kim had been painting for a number of years in Alice Springs, her work going from strength to strength. Kim became an in demand artist and had a talent for producing finely executed works which were constantly evolving in the designs she produced.
Country: Tjukurla, W.A. Kiwirrkurra, W.A.

Dreamings: Kim’s dreaming’s have been passed down to her from both her Father and Mothers sides, she often painted bush tucker and water dreaming stories from her Mother’s country around Tjukurla in W.A. which is close to the South Australia border. She also painted designs associated with her father’s country which is around Lake MacKay which is close to Kiwirrkurra approximately 350km North West of Tjukurla.