Heather (Anjolu) Umbagai

Heather (Anjolu) Umbagai (c. 1954 – March 2013) was a respected Indigenous Australian artist and community leader of the Worrorra people from the Mowanjum community near Derby in the West Kimberley region of Western Australia. [1, 2]

Background & Life

Birth & Heritage: Born around 1954 in the bush at Wotjulum, she was the daughter of prominent cultural figure and interpreter Elkin Umbagai. As a young girl, she lived at the Presbyterian Mission at Mowanjum. [1, 2]
Education & Community Work: Beyond painting, she completed a nursing degree and studied Aboriginal Community Management and Development, linguistics, and theology, actively working for her community. [1]
Passing: She passed away in Perth in March 2013. [1]

Artistic Style & Themes

Name Meaning: She painted under her traditional dreaming name, Anjolu, which means “clouds”. [1]
Medium: Primarily worked with acrylics and synthetic polymer paint on canvas. [1]
Subject Matter: Her artwork captured the landscape and memory of her country, featuring boab trees, native birds (such as jabirus and red parrots), coastal views, waterfalls, grass burning, and the wet season. [1, 2, 3]
Representation: Her works have been exhibited and promoted through institutions like the Aboriginal Gallery of Dreamings in Melbourne and Art Mob, as well as featured via galleries such as Art Mob. [1]

Would you like to know more about her specific auction records, where her artworks are collected, or look into other West Kimberley artists?

Aug 24, 2026

HEATHER (ANJOLU) UMBAGAI, Australia (Aboriginal) (1945 -), (Untitled) 2002, acrylic on canvas (ready to hang), 77 x 61 x 2 cm. (30.30 x 24.01 x 0.79 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD500

Aug 24, 2026

HEATHER (ANJOLU) UMBAGAI, Australia (Aboriginal) (1945 -), Summertime Grasses, 2002, acrylic on canvas (ready to hang), 70 x 61 x 2 cm. (27.55 x 24.01 x 0.79 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD425

Aug 24, 2026

HEATHER (ANJOLU) UMBAGAI, Australia (Aboriginal) (1945 -), (Untitled) 2002, acrylic on canvas (ready to hang), 61 x 71 x 2 cm. (24.01 x 27.94 x 0.79 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD500

Jul 27, 2026

HEATHER (ANJOLU) UMBAGAI, Australia (Aboriginal) (1945 -), Colours in My Country, 2002, acrylic on canvas (ready to hang), 77 x 61 x 2 cm. (30.30 x 24.01 x 0.79 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD1,200

Jul 27, 2026

HEATHER (ANJOLU) UMBAGAI, Australia (Aboriginal) (1945 -), Moon Lightning Grasses, 2002, acrylic on canvas (ready to hang), 69 x 61 x 2 cm. (27.17 x 24.01 x 0.79 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD240

Jul 27, 2026

HEATHER (ANJOLU) UMBAGAI, Australia (Aboriginal) (1945 -), Abstract Sunset, 2002, acrylic on canvas (ready to hang), 115 x 89 x 2 cm. (45.28 x 35.03 x 0.79 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD950

Jun 22, 2026

HEATHER (ANJOLU) UMBAGAI, Australia (Aboriginal) (1945 -), Dumby Owl Story, 2003, acrylic on canvas, 87 x 112 x 2 cm. (34 1/4 x 44.09 x 0.79 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD950

Jun 22, 2026

HEATHER (ANJOLU) UMBAGAI, Australia (Aboriginal) (1945 -), Jabiru, acrylic on canvas, 113 x 89 x 2 cm. (44.49 x 35.03 x 0.79 in.)

Lawsons

Sold: AUD700