Umatji is a Yankunytjatjara woman born in Indulkana Community on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in the far northwest of South Australia. Umatji’s mother, Kunmanara (Kathleen Injiki) Tjapalyi was one of the founders and senior artists at Mimili Maku Arts. Growing up, Umatji learned from her mother and father about their country and their storylines. Today, Umatji paints her mother’s country, which forms part of the Antara storyline, and is celebrated in Women’s Ceremony. “I am proud to share what I was taught when I was a little girl. I am keeping my mother’s knowledge strong, keeping her country healthy and well. I was watching for a long time, watching country, watching my mother paint.
Now I am ready to tell my own story. ”Mimili Community is home to 300 Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people who have been living in the area for millennia in harmony with nature and acting as custodians of the land and the Tjukurpa (creation stories).