Yulyurlu Lorna Fencer Napurrurla
Lorna Fencer Napurrurla is one of the key Lajamanu artists, celebrated for her exciting and vibrant paintings… born out of her individualistic streak, coupled with strong self-belief and an equally strong sense of self-worth, all of which informed her visual arts practice, driving her on to success. She was born circa 1925 at Yarturlu Yarturlu (the Granites) in the Tanami Desert, Northern Territory and passed away 7 December 2006.
Yulyurlu Napurrurla, or Lorna Fencer Napurrurla, as she would later become known (after her third husband Andy Fencer, a surname imposed on him due to the years of work that he had done on stock camps fencing paddocks), came out of the traditional group of Warlpiri painters, but unlike many of them, she was a non-conformist.
From working within a tonal range of colours, she would produce works with intense colours that displayed spontaneity and joyfulness. Sometimes criticised and scorned for the way she was painting, Lorna did her own thing and kept pushing the boundaries.
In terms of community standing, Napurrurla was highly regarded by other Warlpiri people, because she was ceremonially knowledgeable and very well connected. She was however regarded as somewhat eccentric, although this could be due more to her being an individualist then many of her countrymen and countrywomen. While her individualism did not usually transgress communally sanctioned boundaries, it was certainly noticed. Importantly, this individualistic streak, coupled with strong self-belief and an equally strong sense of self-worth, informed her visual arts practice, driving her on to success.
As one of the key Lajamanu artists, Lorna was an important pioneer of the Central Desert art movement. She began painting with acrylics at the Lajamanu School art program in 1986, and within a decade had emerged as one of the most original and highly sought-after artists in the region.
Napurrurla is custodian for the sacred country of Yumurrpa, and for the Yarla-Pama
(Caterpillar), Ngarlajiyi
(Pencil Yam) and Yarla
(Bush Potato) Dreamings of this site. She also has ancestral rights over Seed, Bush Tomato, Kangaroo Tucker, Bush Raisin, Water, Snake and Bush Plum Dreamings for the Napurrurla-Japurrurla, and Jakamarra-Nakamarra skin groups.
Source: Painting Alone: Lorna Fencer Napurrurla by Author Christine Nicholls
