Phyllis Thomas

Phyllis Thomas(born 1 January 1933) is a Gija woman of the Nagarra skin group from the East Kimberley. Her Ngarrangarni (Dreaming) totems are the Black Cockatoo and Kingfisher. Her bush name, Booljoonngali , means “big rain coming down with lots of wind.”

She was born at Riya on the Turner River, south-east of the Bungle Bungle Range. As a young woman, Phyllis worked on Turner Station, tending poultry and gardens, grinding salt, and carting water from the well. However, she was often drawn back to the bush, spending time with the old women walking country, hunting, collecting dingo scalps, and searching for gold.

Phyllis married Joe Thomas from Rugun (Crocodile Hole), where she lived for many years, maintaining a deep connection to her country, family, and cultural traditions.

Her artwork is in most major collections, including an impressive suite of paintings at the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney).