Ngupulya Pumani 1948-2019

Ngupulya Pulmani is a senior Anangu woman committed to fostering traditional law and culture through her painting and preserving the Yankunytjatjara language. Ngupulya was born in Mimili. Her mother is Kunmanara (Milatjari) Pumani and her country is Antara, west of Mimili. Ngupulya's father is Sam Pumani (dec) and his country is near Watarru on the APY Lands. Ngupulya's grandparents on Milatjari's side are King Everard or Nyapi and her grandmother was Mantjangka Everard. Ngupulya is the eldest of five children. She has three brothers, Ken, Luey and Apada, and a sister, Betty Kuntiwa Pumani (also a celebrated painter), who all live in Mimili. Ngupulya has four daughters and a son, Janita, Sandra, Uni, Josina and Bradley (dec). Ngupulya is married to Shannon Kantji and they have four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 

Ngupulya began painting in 2009. She has been inspired by her mother to portray her country with broad brush strokes and intense luminous palettes. Strongly anchored to country and the wapar it holds, Ngupulya weaves the stories from her country across her canvas. Her paintings portray a truth, a unique rawness, but also a joy of culture and tradition.