Mavis Jugadai Napaltjarri was born in the desert west of Kintore into an artistic family. Her mother is the internationally recognised artist Narputa Nangala, her father was Timmy Tjungurrayi Jugadai, her older sister is the wonderfully talented Molly Napaltjarri Jugadai and her uncle is Willy Tjungurrayi.
Mavis was taught to paint by her mother during the 1990’s. She paints in the traditional iconic style and her bold brushwork and strong sense of design feature prominently in all her paintings. The subject of her art centres around bush tucker, her country and women’s secret ceremony.
'Kardinyanya', a large hill outside of the Aboriginal community Papunya, is the subject of many of her paintings. This is the country of Yalka Dreaming, the bush onion and is a dreaming passed down through her father.
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