Tjulkiwa Atira Atira Australian, Pitjantjatjara, b. 1951

Tjulkiwa was born in 1951 at Watarru, in South Australia. Her mother is the late Kuntjiriya Mick,a celebrated artist of hertime. Her father’s country is Kuntjanu, near Watarru, and her mother isfrom Walytjatjara in the Northern Territory. Tjulkiwa went to school in Pukatja (Ernabella) duringthe missiontimes. After finishing her schooling, she met her husband in Pukatja and they hadtwo children. She also spent me in Fregon and Itjinpiri homeland, near Umuwa. That was herhusband’s ngura (place of birth). She and her husband had six children. She is now widowedand lives in Pipalyatjara with some of her family. Tjulkiwa is an astute and respected member ofthe Pipalyatjara community. She is fluent in English and Pitjantjatjara, which serves as a handytool for translating in the art centre, where she is also chairperson. She has always worked inarts and cra s, first at Pukatja,then Fregon, and now at Ninuku Arts, where she paints daily.Thetime Tjulkiwa spent in Pukatja is evident in her work-she is a natural colourist and herwork is reminiscent of the beautiful decorative style for which Pukatja (Ernabella) is renowned.She paints the story of her grandfather’s country, known as Arulya