Lola Nampitjinpa Brown
ARTIST: Lola Nampitjinpa Brown
BORN: Ti-Tree, NT
LANGUAGE GROUP: Warlpiri
COMMUNITY: Yeundemu
Lola Nampitjinpa Brown
Lola Nampitjinpa Brown, a notable figure in the Australian art world, first saw the world from the small community of Ti-Tree, located 193km north of the renowned Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Her childhood was imbued with her family’s rich culture and traditions, and this formative environment shaped her artistic perspective. Willowra, where Lola spent her early years, offered a vibrant canvas of inspiration.
As Lola navigated the path of her early life, she relocated to Mt Allen. This transition marked a significant chapter in her life as she entered the institution of marriage, honouring the tradition of being “promised” to her first husband. Their family blossomed with the arrival of seven children, each adding a new element to Lola’s evolving artistic narrative.
Despite the bustling activity of family life, Lola’s devotion to her art never wavered. She was a regular artist at the Mt Allen Art Centre, and her creativity flourished in this communal space. Although the centre has since ceased operations, Lola’s artistic journey continued unabated. She now shares her time between Alice Springs and Yuendumu, making significant contributions to Warlukurlangu Arts since 2002.
In Yuendumu, Lola’s life is entwined with that of her current husband, Christopher Japangardi Poulson, a fellow artist of high repute. Together, they continue their artistic journeys, each influencing and enriching the other’s work.
At the heart of Lola Brown’s art are the water dreaming (Ngapa Jurkurrpa) stories that pay tribute to Pikilyi (Vaughn Springs), a significant waterhole near Mount Doreen Station. These narratives passed down her family’s generations, encapsulating millennia of indigenous wisdom and lore. In its vivid expression and thematic depth, Lola’s artistry bridges the temporal gap, connecting her ancestral heritage to the contemporary world. Her work immortalises these ancient narratives and reflects her personal experiences and insights, adding a new layer to the timeless tapestry of indigenous Australian art.