Ulwalki 1998 by Coral Napurrula, Arches Paper, 56x76cm WOP28

Ulwalki is a vibrant and assured work by Coral Napurrula, painted in acrylic on Arches paper. The painting depicts Ulwalki, an important Dreaming site associated with stands of watiya (native trees), prized for their strong timber used in spear making, spear shafts and other essential tools. Custodial responsibility for this Country and its stories is held by people of the Napurrula and Tjupurrula kinship groups.

Ulwalki is a Dreaming shared by several significant Western Desert artists. Among those who also paint this Country are Mitjili Napurrula, celebrated for her bold palette and dynamic forms, and her brother Turkey Tolsen Tjupurrula, known for his powerful, linear compositions. Coral Napurrula’s interpretation brings her own sensitivity to colour and rhythm, translating the cultural and material importance of this site into a compelling visual language.

Coral Napurrula is represented by Ikuntji Artists, and the provenance of this work is recorded as catalogue number IK98CN230.

Ikuntji Artists holds a unique place in the history of the Western Desert art movement as the first art centre established by women. From the 1980s, women at Haasts Bluff began painting at the local aged care facility, drawing on knowledge passed down by their husbands and fathers and through years of assisting with men’s paintings. By the early 1990s, these women resolved to create an art centre of their own.

Following a series of workshops and under the leadership of the late Esther Jugadai, Ikuntji was formally established in 1992. Initially conceived as a women’s centre providing community services, it soon evolved as artists began producing paintings on linen and handmade paper. These works quickly attracted national and international attention, earning Ikuntji a reputation for artistic excellence. In 2005, the organisation formally transitioned into a dedicated art centre with the incorporation of Ikuntji Artists Aboriginal Corporation.

Through works such as Ulwalki , Coral Napurrula’s painting practice is firmly situated within this powerful lineage—one that speaks of Country, custodianship and the enduring strength of Western Desert women’s art.

Today Ikuntji Artists are represented in many national and international galleries and institutions. Their art is famous for bold colour choice, decisive brush strokes and a long legacy of internationally renowned artists.