Makinti Napanangka

Makinti Napanangka was born in approximately 1930 and sadly passed away in January 2011.

Makinti is considered one of Australia's most influential and talented Aboriginal artists post the Emily Kame Kngwarreye era, and prior to her death was considered Australia's most collectable living Aboriginal artist. She was from the Pintupi language group and region of Central Australia.

Makinti's  first contact with white people was seeing them ride camels when she was living at Lupul. She was one of a large group of people who walked into Hassts Bluff in the early 1940's, together with her husband Nyukuti Tjupurrula (brother of well known Aboriginal artists Nosepeg Tjupurrula) and their infant son Ginger Tjakamarra.

Makinti began painting for Papunya Tula Artists in 1996 but had already had experience working with acrylic paints and canvas during the Kintore and Haasts Bluff art project held in 1993/1994. Her children Ginger, Narrabri (who sadly passed away in 2010) and Jacqueline all went on to have artistic career with Papunya Tula Artists as well. Makinti's career took off during the mid 1990's as interest grew and her unique style developed.

A physically small woman she was very robust and strong. Her art is characterised by a more spontaneous approach in illustrating traditional iconography so often seen in Pintupi artwork.

Her artworks may seem very abstract with the interplay of colours such as yellow, orange and white with circles and lines throughout however her paintings are still very much based on her Dreaming of Kungka Kutjarra (Two Women). The lines that are found throughout her artworks relate to the hair string ceremonial skirts that women would wear during Pintupi ceremonies. Songs and dances are performed and these are also represented in her artworks through repetitive clusters of lines.

 Her artwork is represented in some of the most significant Australian public art collections. She has participated in countless exhibitions since the start of her artistic career and has been recognised as being in the top 50 most collectable Aboriginal Artists of all time.

Over her career she was a selected entrant on many occasions in Australians most prestigious art prize, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award and was the overall winner of this in 2008.

Makinti's collections include

National Gallery of Victoria.

Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Queensland Art Gallery.

Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Shell Aboriginal Art Fund Collection.

Collection of Margaret Levi and Robert Kaplan.

Collection of Richard Klingler.

Macquarie Bank Collection.