Colleen Wallace Nungurrayi: Eastern Arrernte Artist

Background and Early Life

Colleen Wallace Nungurrayi is an accomplished artist belonging to the Eastern Arrernte people. She grew up in the communities of Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa) and Mparntwe (Alice Springs) in the Northern Territory. Her journey into painting began in the 1990s, inspired and encouraged by her stepmother, the esteemed artist Kathleen Kemarre Wallace. Colleen is married to Colin Bird, whose mother is the renowned Utopia artist Ada Bird Petyarre. Together, Colleen and Colin have five children.

Artistic Style and Influences

Colleen’s most recognisable and popular artworks are based on a style passed down from her stepmother, Kathleen. These works depict the ‘Dreamtime Sisters’, known to the Eastern Arrernte people as ‘Irrernte-arenye’. The Dreamtime Sisters are spiritual figures believed to watch over and protect significant areas of land, such as sacred and ceremonial sites. Colleen combines the traditional dotting technique of the Central and Western desert with intricate fine linework, portraying the Irrernte-arenye as they float above these sacred places, providing protection for both the sites and the people who visit and care for them. These unique paintings have become highly sought after among collectors and art enthusiasts.

Earlier Works and Cultural Connections

Before inheriting the Dreamtime Sisters story from Kathleen, Colleen painted stories associated with her father's country, located near Gem Tree, to the north-east of Alice Springs. Her grandfather, Kenny Tilmouth Penangke, a respected senior artist, granted her permission to depict this Dreaming. This Yam story is also connected to Ada Bird Petyarre and her ancestral land around Mulga Bore, further strengthening Colleen’s deep cultural and familial ties to her subjects.

Recognition and Exhibitions

Colleen Wallace Nungurrayi is celebrated for her precise dot designs and vibrant use of colour. Her distinctive artworks have been showcased in numerous exhibitions both in Australia and the United States, earning her recognition and acclaim within the art community.