Sheila Napaljarri Brown b. c.1940

Also known as i.e. taboo because deceased; to be used when speaking of her to relatives Kamunjayi
  • Artist (Painter)
Warlpiri artist and senior woman in Yuendumu, Sheila Brown was one of the first to apply traditional women's designs on canvas in her community in the 1980s. Her work is represented in major international collections including the Christensen Fund (USA).

Born c. 1940, Sheila Brown was one of the senior Warlpiri women of the Yuendumu community whose interest in rendering traditional women’s designs in western materials was one of the driving forces behind early experiments with canvas at the settlement. Her work was included in the first exhibition of Yuendumu paintings at the Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs in October 1985. She painted Ngarlkirdi (Witchetty Grub), Yiwarra (Milky Way) and Karntajarra (Two Women) Dreamings from the Kunajarrayi area of her heritage country. Since the mid ’80s, she had shown in numerous exhibitions of Warlukurlangu Artists in cities all around Australia. Collections: many public and private collections, including the Christensen Fund and the South Australian Museum

Writers:
Johnson, Vivien
Date written:
1994
Last updated:
2011