Sonya Napaljarri Murphy
Born
1982
Birth place
Alice Springs
Community
Ali Curung - NT
Gender
Female
Languages
- Kaytetye
- Warlpiri
- Warumungu
Skin Name
- Napaljarri
Sonya Murphy Napaljarri was born in Alice Springs in 1982. She first grew up in Mungkarta 90km south west from Tennant Creek. From her father side, she belongs to the Warumungu language group, and from her mother's side, the Warlpiri and Kaytetye language groups. Sonya started to learn painting when she was 12 years old, watching her grandmother and aunties paint and replicating their designs.
In the Arlpwe Art and Culture Centre painting studio where Sonya works as a studio assistant, her ability to manipulate and create unique colours is heavily relied upon. In many of Sonya’s works, she uses her brush to blend white with orange, yellow and red oxide. Her authoritative repetition and feel for rhythm foster hypnotic landscapes.
Sonya is an emerging leader in the community, being heavily involved in cultural activities as well as residing on the boards of Arlpwe Art and Culture Centre and Desart.
In the Arlpwe Art and Culture Centre painting studio where Sonya works as a studio assistant, her ability to manipulate and create unique colours is heavily relied upon. In many of Sonya’s works, she uses her brush to blend white with orange, yellow and red oxide. Her authoritative repetition and feel for rhythm foster hypnotic landscapes.
Sonya is an emerging leader in the community, being heavily involved in cultural activities as well as residing on the boards of Arlpwe Art and Culture Centre and Desart.
Works by Sonya Napaljarri Murphy
Exhibitions
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Desert Mob 2022, September 2022, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia September 2022, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia
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Desert Mob 2023, September 2023, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia September 2023, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia
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Desert Mob 2024, September 2024, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia September 2024, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, NT, Australia
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National Capital Art Prize 2022, September 2022, Fitters' Workshop, Kingston, ACT, Australia September 2022, Fitters' Workshop, Kingston, ACT, Australia
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Ayamalke/Jinta-kari (Many Different Ways), June 2023, Modern Times, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia June 2023, Modern Times, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
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Barkly Groundswell, November 2022, cb0ne gallery, Abbotsford, Victoria, Australia November 2022, cb0ne gallery, Abbotsford, Victoria, Australia
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Arlpwe Artists: Off the Beaten Track, April 2022, Japingka Aboriginal Art, Fremantle, WA, Australia April 2022, Japingka Aboriginal Art, Fremantle, WA, Australia