Tanya Umatji Tjapalyi Australian, Yankunytjatjara, b. 1974

Umatji is a Yankunytjatjara woman born in Indulkana Community on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in the far northwest of South Australia.

Umatji's mother, Kunmanara (Kathleen Injiki) Tjapalyi was one of the founders and senior artists at Mimili Maku Arts. Growing up, Umatji learned from her mother and father about their country and their storylines. Today, Umatji paints her mother's country around Iltur, which forms part of the Antara storyline, and is celebrated in Women's Ceremony.

Whilst Umatji only commenced painting in 2021, she has already been recognised as one of the most talented emerging painters at Mimili Maku Arts and was a finalist in the Hadley's Art Prize for landscape painting in 2022.