Yurpiya was born at the homeland Donald’s Well, near Kenmore Park, about 45 kms east of Ernabella on the 11th of June 1960.
She is the daughter of Pantjiti Lionel, a very senior Pitjantjatjara woman and artist.
Her family lived in Ernabella where she attended school.
Since she left school, she has had three children, two daughters of which also sometimes practice art at the art centre.
She has also worked at the Ernabella Child Care Centre and at the Ernabella Store.
Yurpiya started painting at the art centre in 2004, and has recently begun to experiment with abstract mark making, rather than the literal imagery of flowers, animals, insects and bush tucker that she used to paint.
She is also a very accomplished fibre sculptor and weaver, using tjanpi (native grass) and raffia to make baskets, animals and vehicles. In July 2012 she will be exhibiting in Singapore..
Yurpiya was born at the homeland Donald’s Well, near Kenmore Park, about 45 kms east of Ernabella on the 11th of June 1960.
She is the daughter of Pantjiti Lionel, a very senior Pitjantjatjara woman and artist.
Her family lived in Ernabella where she attended school.
Since she left school, she has had three children, two daughters of which also sometimes practice art at the art centre.
She has also worked at the Ernabella Child Care Centre and at the Ernabella Store.
Yurpiya started painting at the art centre in 2004, and has recently begun to experiment with abstract mark making, rather than the literal imagery of flowers, animals, insects and bush tucker that she used to paint.
She is also a very accomplished fibre sculptor and weaver, using tjanpi (native grass) and raffia to make baskets, animals and vehicles. In July 2012 she will be exhibiting in Singapore..