Ningura Napurrula

ningura napurrula

Ningura Napurrula (c. 1938 – 11 November 2013) was a highly acclaimed Pintupi-speaking Indigenous Australian artist from the Western Desert region, recognized as a leading figure in the evolution of Western Desert art. Born in Watulka, south of Kiwirrkurra, Western Australia, she spent her early life in the Gibson Desert before migrating east to the Papunya settlement with her family in the early 1960s. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Artistic Career and Style

Initially, Napurrula assisted her husband, Yala Yala Gibbs Tjungurrayi—a revered Pintupi elder and one of the founding members of the Papunya Tula Art movement—by filling in the background dotting of his masterworks. [1, 2, 3]

She began painting independently in 1995 as part of the Haasts Bluff/Kintore women’s painting project. Her signature style quickly distinguished her, characterized by: [1, 2]

• Dynamic linear designs layered with heavy acrylic paint and textured dot-relief techniques. [1, 2]
• A striking, restricted palette frequently focusing on high-contrast monochromes (such as bold black-and-white or red-and-white compositions). [1, 2]
• Irregular enclosing forms and parallel lines representing sacred women’s business, body paint, and topographical features like sandhills. [1, 2]

Themes and Cultural Custodianship

Her artwork serves as a powerful testament to her role as a cultural guardian. She depicted ancestral narratives and the creation journeys of female ancestors (Kutunga Napanangka), who traveled through the landscape establishing sacred sites. Her paintings frequently map specific, critical rockhole locations east of Kiwirrkurra, most notably Wirrulnga (a sacred women’s birthing site), Palturunya, and Ngaminya. Traditional custom was deeply woven into her practice; while painting, she would often sing the ceremonial songs associated with the Dreaming stories appearing on the canvas. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Major Achievements & Global Legacy

Napurrula transitioned from an apprentice to an internationally collectible contemporary artist whose work has featured in over 160 global exhibitions. Some of her most prominent achievements include: [1, 2, 3]

• Musée du quai Branly Commission (2006): She was selected as the sole female desert artist to design a permanent, monumental site-specific ceiling installation inside the Jean Nouvel building at the Musée du quai Branly in Paris. [1, 2]
• Australian Postage Stamp (2003): Her artwork was commemorated by Australia Post on an international stamp. [1, 2]
• Institutional Recognition: Her masterpieces are held in the permanent collections of elite institutions worldwide, including the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the Musée des Confluences in Lyon. [1, 2]

Would you like to explore where to view her work currently on display, learn more about her husband’s legacy with the Papunya Tula Artists, or examine the specific Dreaming stories behind her Wirrulnga paintings?

Oct 19, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, (C.1938-2013), ”Women’s Ceremony”, Acrylic on belgian linen., 203cm x 293cm

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Oct 10, 2026

Ningura Napurrula (c. 1938 – 2014) Sans titre

Millon & Associes

Passed

Oct 10, 2026

Ningura Napurrula (c. 1938 – 2014) Sans titre, 2008

Millon & Associes

Sold: €1,800

Oct 10, 2026

Ningura Napurrula (c. 1938 – 2014) Womens Ceremony, 2009

Millon & Associes

Sold: €1,600

Oct 10, 2026

Ningura Napurrula (c. 1938 – 2014) Sans titre, 2008

Millon & Associes

Passed

Sep 21, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, (C.1938-2013), ”Women’s Ceremony”, Acrylic on canvas., 98cm x 147cm

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Aug 25, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, (C.1938-2013), ”Women’s Ceremony”, Acrylic on canvas., 98cm x 147cm

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Aug 24, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, Australia (Aboriginal) (1938 – 2013), Woman’s Dreaming, 2004, acrylic on linen (ready to hang), 145 x 99 x 3 cm. (57.09 x 38.97 x 1.17 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Aug 24, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, Australia (Aboriginal) (c1938 -), Women’s Dreaming, acrylic on canvas (ready to hang), 200 x 100 x 3 cm. (78.7 x 39.3 x 1.1 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Aug 24, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA, Australia (Aboriginal) (1938 – 2013), Tingari Women, 2002, acrylic on Belgian linen (ready to hang), 182 x 92 x 2 cm. (71.65 x 36.21 x 0.79 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD5,000

Aug 19, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON (1938-2013), Untitled

Gibson’s

Sold: AUD1,500

Jul 16, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, (C.1938-2013), ”Women’s Ceremony”, Acrylic on canvas., 98cm x 147cm

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Jul 15, 2026

Ningura Napurrula, Kintore/Pintupi (1938-2013), Women’s Ceremonies, Acrylic on canvas

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Passed

Jun 25, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, (C.1938-2013), ”Women’s Ceremony”, Acrylic on belgian linen., 203cm x 293cm

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

May 28, 2026

Ningura Napurrula, Untitled, 2011, 2012

Deutscher and Hackett

Passed

May 28, 2026

Ningura Napurrula, Wirrulnga, 2006

Deutscher and Hackett

Passed

May 25, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA, Australia (Aboriginal) (1938 – 2013), My Country, 2006, acrylic on linen (ready to hang), 119 x 89 x 3 cm. (46.85 x 35.03 x 1.17 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD1,900

May 19, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA, Wirrulnga, 2006

Art Leven (formerly Cooee Art)

Sold: AUD4,400

Mar 25, 2026

Ningura Napurrula, Women’s ceremonies at Ngaminya, 2006

Deutscher and Hackett

Sold: AUD6,500

Mar 25, 2026

Ningura Napurrula, Rockhole site of Wirrulnga, 2006

Deutscher and Hackett

Sold: AUD10,000

Mar 23, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA, Australia (Aboriginal) (c1938-2013), Wirrulnga, 2002, acrylic on Belgian linen (ready to hang), 152 x 182 x 3 cm. (59.84 x 71.65 x 1.17 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD4,000

Mar 17, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON (born c.1938-2013) (Language group: Pintupi) Wirrulnga 2006 synthetic polymer paint on linen 120 x 180cm

Leonard Joel

Sold: AUD5,000

Mar 02, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA, Australia (Aboriginal) (c1938 -), Wirrulnga Rockhole, acrylic on canvas (ready to hang), 125 x 123 x 3 cm. (49.2 x 48.4 x 1.1 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD1,400

Feb 17, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, (C.1938-2013), ”Women’s Ceremony”, Acrylic on canvas., 100cm x 146cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD900

Feb 17, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA (CIRCA 1938-2013), Wirrulnga Rockhole 2007

Gibson’s

Passed

Jan 28, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA, Australia (Aboriginal) (c1938 -), Wirrulnga Rockhole, acrylic on canvas (ready to hang), 125 x 123 x 3 cm. (49.2 x 48.4 x 1.1 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Jan 08, 2026

NINGURA NAPURRULA, Australia (Aboriginal) (c1938 -), Wirrulnga Rockhole, acrylic on canvas (ready to hang), 125 x 123 x 3 cm. (49.2 x 48.4 x 1.1 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Dec 15, 2025

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, Australia (Aboriginal) (c1938 -), Women’s Dreaming, acrylic on canvas (ready to hang), 200 x 100 x 3 cm. (78.7 x 39.3 x 1.1 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Dec 08, 2025

Ningura Napurrula, Kintore/Pintupi (1938-2013), Women’s Ceremonies, Acrylic on canvas

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Passed

Dec 07, 2025

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, (C.1938-2013), ”Women’s Ceremony”, Acrylic on canvas., 100cm x 146cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,000

Dec 03, 2025

Ningura Napurrula (circa 1938-2013) Untitled, 1999

Bonhams

Passed

Nov 24, 2025

NINGURA NAPURRULA, Australia (Aboriginal) (c.1938 -), Wirrulnga Rockhole, acrylic on canvas (ready to hang), 125 x 123 x 3 cm. (49.2 x 48.4 x 1.1 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Nov 18, 2025

NINGURA NAPURRULA, c.1938 – 2013, Untitled, 2006, acrylic on linen, 92 x 92 cm, bears inscription verso: Papunya Tula Artists Pty Ltd, 91 x 91cm, Ningura Napurrla, NN0608211, PROVENANCE, Papunya Tula Artist, NT Cat No…

Art Leven (formerly Cooee Art)

Sold: AUD3,400

Oct 19, 2025

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, (C.1938-2013), ”Women’s Ceremony”, Acrylic on canvas., 100cm x 146cm

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Oct 11, 2025

Ningura Napurrula (c. 1938 – 2014) Women’s Dreaming, 2010

Millon & Associes

Sold: €1,200

Oct 11, 2025

Ningura Napurrula (c. 1938 – 2014) Sans titre

Millon & Associes

Sold: €4,800

Oct 11, 2025

Ningura Napurrula (c. 1938 – 2014) Sans titre

Millon & Associes

Passed

Sep 30, 2025

Ningura Napurrula, Kintore/Pintupi (1938-2013), Women’s Ceremonies, Acrylic on canvas

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Passed

Sep 22, 2025

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, Australia (c1938 -), Women’s Dreaming, acrylic on canvas (ready to hang), 200 x 100 x 3 cm. (78.7 x 39.3 x 1.1 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Aug 31, 2025

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, (C.1938-2013), ”Women’s Ceremony”, Acrylic on canvas., 98cm x 147cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD950

Jul 17, 2025

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, (C.1938-2013), “Women’s Dreaming”, Acrylic on belgian linen., 123cm x 123cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD2,000

Jun 29, 2025

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, (C.1938-2013), ”Women’s Ceremony”, Acrylic on canvas., 98cm x 147cm

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Jun 24, 2025

Ningura Napurrula, (1938-2013), Untitled, 2005, acrylic on canvas, 151.5 x 184 cm

Shapiro Auctioneers

Passed

Jun 23, 2025

NINGURA NAPURRULA, Australia (c1938 – 2013), Untitled (Women’s Dreaming), acrylic on Belgin linen (ready to hang), 151 x 90 x 2 cm. (59.4 x 35.4 x 0.7 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD1,600

Jun 23, 2025

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, Australia (c1938 -), Women’s Dreaming, acrylic on canvas (ready to hang), 200 x 100 x 3 cm. (78.7 x 39.3 x 1.1 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Jun 19, 2025

Ningura Napurrula, Kintore/Pintupi (1938-2013), Women’s Ceremonies, Acrylic on canvas

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Passed

Jun 09, 2025

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, (C.1938-2013), ”Women’s Ceremony”, Acrylic on canvas., 98cm x 147cm

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

May 25, 2025

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON (1938-2013), Untitled 1999

Gibson’s

Passed

May 18, 2025

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, (C.1938-2013), ”Women’s Ceremony”, Acrylic on canvas., 100cm x 146cm

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

May 08, 2025

Ningura Napurrula, Kintore/Pintupi (1938-2013), Women’s Ceremonies, Acrylic on canvas

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Passed

May 08, 2025

Ningura Napurrula, Kintore/Pintupi (1938-2013), Untitled, Acrylic on Belgian linen

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Sold: AUD3,200

Mar 31, 2025

NINGURA NAPURRULA, (c1938 – 2013), Wirrulnga, 2009, acrylic on linen (ready to hang), 136 x 140 cm. (53.5 x 55.1 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Mar 31, 2025

Ningura Napurrula, Kintore/Pintupi (1938-2013), Wirrulnga – My Country, Acrylic on linen

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Passed

Mar 31, 2025

Ningura Napurrula, Kintore/Pintupi (1938-2013), Untitled, Acrylic on Belgian linen

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Passed

Mar 24, 2025

NINGURA NAPURRULA, (c1938 – 2013), Untitled (Women’s Dreaming), acrylic on Belgin linen (ready to hang), 151 x 90 x 2 cm. (59.4 x 35.4 x 0.7 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Feb 23, 2025

NINGURA NAPURRULA, (c1938 – 2013), Wirrulnga, 2009, acrylic on linen (ready to hang), 136 x 140 cm. (53.5 x 55.1 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Dec 18, 2024

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, (c1938 – 2013), Women’s Business, 2012, acrylic on linen (ready to hang), 56 x 80 x 3 cm. (22.0 x 31 1/2 x 1.1 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Dec 02, 2024

Ningura Napurrula, Kintore/Pintupi (1938-2013), Women’s Ceremony 2008, Acrylic on linen

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Passed

Nov 17, 2024

NINGURA NAPURRULA, (C.1938-2013), ”Women’s Ceremony”, Acrylic on canvas., 96cm x 138cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD1,000

Oct 27, 2024

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, (c1938 -), Women’s Dreaming, acrylic on canvas (ready to hang), 200 x 100 x 3 cm. (78.7 x 39.3 x 1.1 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Oct 27, 2024

NINGURA NAPURRULA, (C.1938-2013), ”Women’s Ceremony”, Acrylic on canvas., 96cm x 138cm

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Oct 02, 2024

Ningura Napurrula, Kintore/Pintupi (1938-2013), Women’s Ceremony, Synthetic polymer paint on canvas

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Passed

Sep 22, 2024

NINGURA NAPURRULA, (c1938 – 2013), Untitled (Women’s Dreaming), acrylic on Belgin linen (ready to hang), 151 x 90 x 2 cm. (59.4 x 35.4 x 0.7 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Aug 25, 2024

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON, (c1938 – 2013), Women’s Business, 2012, acrylic on linen (ready to hang), 56 x 80 x 3 cm. (22.0 x 31 1/2 x 1.1 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Aug 04, 2024

NINGURA NAPURRULA, (c.1938-2013), ”Women’s Ceremony”, Acrylic on canvas., 116cm x 202cm

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD2,000

Jul 28, 2024

NINGURA NAPURRULA, (c1938 – 2013), Untitled (Women’s Dreaming), acrylic on Belgin linen (ready to hang), 151 x 90 x 2 cm. (59.4 x 35.4 x 0.7 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD1,000

Jun 23, 2024

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON (c1938 – 2013) Women’s Ceremony acrylic on linen 96 x 88 x 3 cm (ready to hang) signed and titled verso; certificate of authenticity

Lawsons

Passed

Jun 16, 2024

NINGURA NAPURRULA  Womens Ceremony

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Apr 28, 2024

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON (c1938 – 2013) Women’s Ceremony acrylic on linen 96 x 88 x 3 cm (ready to hang) signed and titled verso; certificate of authenticity

Lawsons

Passed

Apr 28, 2024

NINGURA NAPURRULA, c1938 – 2013, Untitled (Women’s Dreaming), acrylic on Belgin linen (ready to hang), 151 x 90 x 2 cm. (59.4 x 35.4 x 0.7 in.)

Lawsons

Passed

Feb 25, 2024

NINGURA NAPURRULA (1938 – 2013) – Women’s Ceremony acrylic on canvas 118 x 90 x 3 cm (ready to hang)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD1,200

Feb 25, 2024

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON (c1948 – ) – Ngaminya, 2006 acrylic on linen 122 x 89 x 3 cm (ready to hang)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD1,600

Jun 20, 2023

Ningura Napurrula – Untitled, 2001

Cooee Art

Passed

Jun 18, 2023

NINGURA NAPURRULA (c.1938-2013) “Women’s Ceremony”

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD600

Jun 18, 2023

NINGURA NAPURRULA (c.1938-2013) “Women’s Ceremony”

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD600

Jun 04, 2023

NINGURA NAPURRULA “NGAMINYA”

Phillip Caldwell Auctioneers

Sold: AUD16,000

Apr 30, 2023

NINGURA NAPURRULA GIBSON (c.1938-2013)”Women’s Ceremony”

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Apr 04, 2023

Ningura Napurrula (circa 1938-2013) Untitled, 2003

Bonhams

Passed

Apr 04, 2023

Ningura Napurrula (circa 1938-2013) Untitled [Wirrulnga and Wilkinkarra, (Lake Mackay)], 2003

Bonhams

Sold: AUD6,000

Mar 26, 2023

NINGURA NAPURRULA”Women’s Dreaming”

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Jan 04, 2023

NINGURA NAPURRULA (c.1938-2013)”Women’s Dreaming”

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD500

Jan 04, 2023

NINGURA NAPURRULA (c.1938-2013)”Women’s Dreaming”

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD450

Nov 28, 2022

Ningura Napurrula, Pintupi (c.1938-2013), Women’s Ceremony 2010, Acrylic on canvas

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Sold: AUD10,000

Nov 08, 2022

NINGURA NAPURRULA (c.1938-2013)”Womens Ceremony”

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Oct 16, 2022

NINGURA NAPURRULA (1938-2013), Wirrulnga 2008

Gibson’s

Passed

Oct 16, 2022

NINGURA NAPURRULA (1938-2013), Wirrulnga 2008

Gibson’s

Passed

Oct 11, 2022

Ningura Napurrula – Women’s Dreaming, 2006

Cooee Art

Passed

Oct 11, 2022

NINGURA NAPURRULA (c.1938-2013)”Untitled”

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD900

Oct 11, 2022

NINGURA NAPURRULA (c.1938-2013)”Untitled”

Ozbid Auctions

Sold: AUD750

Oct 11, 2022

NINGURA NAPURRULA (c.1938-2013)”Women’s Ceremony”

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Sep 19, 2022

Ningura Napurrula, Pintupi (c.1938-2013), Women’s Ceremony 2010, Acrylic on canvas

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Passed

Sep 06, 2022

NINGURA NAPURRULA “Women’s Ceremony”

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

Aug 23, 2022

Ningura Napurrula (circa 1938-2013) Wirrulnga, 2006

Bonhams

Sold: AUD16,000

Jul 13, 2022

NINGURA NAPURRULA “Women’s Ceremony”

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

May 11, 2022

Ningura Napurrula (born circa 1938) Untitled, 2004

Bonhams

Sold: AUD4,000

Apr 18, 2022

NINGURA NAPURRULA “Women’s Ceremony”

Ozbid Auctions

Passed

You‘ve viewed 96 of1,010

Share