Born: c.1950
Region: Lajamanu, Northern Territory
Language group: Walpiri
Beth Nungarrayi Patrick was born in Yuendumu.
An Aboriginal Community in the Central Western Desert of the Northern Territory of Australia around 300 kilometers Northwest of Alice Springs.
The largest regional community of
Central Australia.
She commenced painting in 1986 whilst
living in the desert community of Lajamanu also know as Hooker Creek on
the edge of the Tanami desert.
She participated in a course offered there by the Northern Territory Governments Training and Further Education Unit on Traditional Painting.
This course of action developed following the success of traditional paintings at Papunya another central desert community.
This movement was started by Geoffry Barden a local school teacher in Papunya at the time, who encouraged the men in the community to paint their traditional stories.
She and her husband Paddy Patrick Jangala (dec) were at the fore front of the development of the Lajamanu painting enterprise and the development of the community art centre.
They were among the original group of artists to begin painting at Lajamanu.
They wore T shirts with the words "Past present and future bought together at the Lajamanu School".
Art from the Lajamanu Warnayaka Art Centre has now been exhibited worldwide.
The artists at the centre continue to be committed
to passing on the culture to the young people of the community and hold
regular sessions with the local school.
Lajamanu is not on the traditional lands of the Walpiri people.
However, in the 1950s a group of Walpiri living in Yuendemu had been moved to Hooker Creek by the Government as there was a drought in the area.
The community was overcrowded and although this was not their country and after the people made several attempts to return to Yuendemu a settlement was eventually made, and it remains there today.
Beth Nungarrayi Patrick and the people of Lajamanu retain their links to the Walpiri of Yuendemu.
Site Index for:
Alby Stockman, Amy Johnson, Barbara Charles Napaljarri, Beatrice Gibson Nangala, Beth Nungarrayi Patrick, Brenda Lynch Nungurrayi, Caroline Numina Pananka, Cassidy Tjapaltjarri, Colin Liddy, Cowboy Louie Pwerle, Dulcie Williams Napangardi, Isobel Hagen Nungarryi, Jacinta Numina Waugh, Jack Cook Jangala, Lanita Numina, Lesley Daniels Jamijinpa, Long Jack Phillipus Tjakamarra, Louise Numina Napanankana, Lucy Dixon Napurrurla, Margarette Looney, Mary Dixon Nungarrayi, Maureen Nampitjinpa Hudson, Michael Nelson Jagamara, Michael Tjapanardi Tommy, Peter Leo Tjakamarra, Reggie Sultan, Sambo Burra Burra, Sandra Scholes Escobar, Sarah Morton Napananga, William Sandy, Willie Gudabi, Our Gallery,