Lorna was born about 1924 at Yartulu Yartulu and was the custodian of inherited land at Yumurrpa, situated near Chilla Well, south of the Granites Mine area of the Tanami Desert. Her father’s country is Wapuurtali. In 1949 many Warlpiri, including Lorna Napurrula, were forcibly transported to the government settlement of Lajamanu at Hookers Creek, situated in the country of the Gurindji people, 250 miles to the north of their own country around Yuendumu. Napurrula nevertheless maintained and strengthened her cultural identity through ceremonial activity and art, and asserted her position as a prominent Elder and teacher in the community. Lorna started painting in 1986. At eighty years of age, she was described as “the strongest woman we know”. Lorna was senior custodian of the Yarla or Yam dreaming which begins at her country, Yumurrpa, and continues north to Lajamanu.
Lorna pioneered a style that has made her internationally famous in art circles. Her work is increasingly extravagant, abstract and sensual. Along with the late Emily Kame Kngwarreye she has led the female senior artist’s movement away from men’s traditional iconography towards more personal and artistic expressions.
Lorna transcended the traditional framework of the Desert Art Movement to produce works of invaluable and stunning virtuosity. Her dreamings include Yarla (Yam), Wapirti and Marlujarra. These dreamings entitled her to paint bush yam, ngalatji (little white flower), bush tomato, caterpillar (luju), wallaby and certain mens’ stories including boomerang. These all relate to the Napurrula, Nakamarra, Japarrula and Jakamarra skin groups.
Lorna’s artistic achievements have been recognised both nationally and internationally with works hanging in fine art galleries, national heritage collections and private collections worldwide. Naparrula passed away in December 2006.
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