Eileen Nungurrayi

Eileen Bird Nungurrayi was born in 1956 at Arnumarra, near Gem Tree, in the Northern Territory. She spent most of her childhood at the Harts Range community and moved to Urupuntja-her late husband Paddy Bird’s country. Together they had eleven children, Maggie Bird being the eldest Paddy’s mother was a renowned artist Ada Bird Petyarre. Eileen’s artistic career began in the mid 1990’s when she painted her inherited stories on linen. Main story elements focus on important bush foods, women’s Dreamings (Awelye) and the pencil yam seeds.

Depicted is the important staple food source, the pencil yam seed that is ground and used for bush damper. Around April, the much anticipated main wet season occurs that replenishes the pencil yam seed.

Collections:

Widely exhibited Nationally and Internationally in solo and group shows