Sonder Nampitjinpa Turner b. 1956

Also known as Sonda Nampitjinpa, Sonder Nampitjinpa, Sonda Turner Nampitjimpa
  • Artist (Painter)
Warlpiri artist who has lived in Papunya, Mt Liebig, Darwin and Katherine. She was one of the first female Western Desert artists to gain national recognition, winning the Canberra National Times Art Award in 1986.

Born in 1956, Sonder is the daughter of Paddy Tjangala. Taught to paint in the early ’80s by her father, Sonder was one of the first women painters in the Western Desert style to gain recognition for her work, winning the 1986 Canberra National Times Art Award. Her paintings usually depict the Two Women Dancing story for Mt Liebig. A Warlpiri speaker, she moved to Darwin in 1986 and thence to Katherine.

Writers:
Johnson, Vivien Note: primary biographer
Date written:
1994
Last updated:
2011