Artists

Maluya (Molly) Napaltjarri Jugadai

Born: 1954

Died: 2011

Language: Pintupi and Luritja,

Region: Haasts Bluff, Northern Territory

Molly was born on 5 March 1954 under a Ngalta (birthing) tree west of Haasts Bluff in the Northern Territory. She was the eldest daughter of the renowned artist, Narputta Nangala and Timothy Tjungurrayi Jugadai’s eight children.

Molly painted the story of the ‘Napaltjarri Sisters’ who came in spaceships during the Dreamtime and represent the first people on earth. They walked the country collecting dew, bush tucker and mungari amongst the desert vegetation. Molly often titled her paintings ‘ Kutjarra Kungka walking Country’ (Two women/girls walking country).

Late in Narputta’s career she allowed Molly to paint her signature story of Narputta’s father’s sacred country ‘Kaarkurutintya”, the large salt lake (Lake MacDonald) and the surrounding sandhills. Sometimes Molly would paint this as a dry, white lake and sometimes as blue after heavy rains.

Whilst Molly’s paintings may have a naive, natural and unaffected appearance they tell very important stories.

Over many years Narputta, Molly and her younger sister, the prominent artist, Daisy Napaltjarri Jugadai, painted together with Tingari Arts in Alice Springs and there were always lively, fun conversations, picnics and the relating of wonderful handed down ‘family’ stories.

Narputta and Daisy are represented in the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.

Molly died in Alice Springs in 2011 and is buried in Haasts Bluff with Narputta, Daisy and other family members.

Collections include: Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Art Collection, Canberra