Naomi Kantjuriny Australian, Pitjantjatjara, b. 1944

Naomi has been working at Tjala arts since 2001. An excellent hunter, basket maker, and wood carver, Naomi took to painting with remarkable ease. Naomi is also a Ngangkari- traditional healer. Ngangkari provide traditional healing treatments and practices of the mind, body and spirit. They are exactly like Western doctors and equal to doctors in their effectiveness for the Aboriginal people of her region.

Naomi works across painting and drawing. In her drawings. Naomi depicts mamu; good and bad spirits. Mamu are mainly harmful, dangerous spirit forces, evil spirits, monsters or an illness. They come in different forms and with varying powers. They can also be “good” spirits helping and looking after people and children.

Naomi also works on paintings with Mona Mitakiki and Tjimpayi Presley. The ladies were taught to paint by senior artist Kunmanara Katie Kawiny. She has passed away now but the younger women and their carry her story on for future generations.