Narpula Scobie Napurrula

Pintubi artist, Narpula Scobie Napurrula, was born at Haasts Bluff in February 1950 and grew up in Papunya. 

In December 1982 Narpula started painting at Papunya in her own right. Several years later Narpula along with other Pintupi, moved back to their traditional lands around Kintore which is is directly west of Alice Springs, some 50 kilometres from the Western Australian border. Settling there she continued to paint for Papunya Tula Pty Ltd. She was the first woman in Walungurru (Kintore) to do so. She is described by Vivien Johnson as being ‘a talented artist in her own right’.Narpula then, may be regarded as the ‘founder’ female painter at Kintore.

In using the technique of dotting across the whole canvas to depict her traditional Dreaming stories, Narpula has created works which are immediately recognisable for their subtle shades of colour, visual intensity and dynamic movement. Very much concerned with ceremony and desert mythology, Narpula’s work has an air of authenticity which harks back to her early traditional life and her connection with one of the great and unique Australian painting movements.