Biddy Nungarrayi Long

Biddy Long, affectionately known as Tiny and by her skin name Nungarrayi, was born in the early 1930s and spent her childhood on Mount Doreen station and walking throughout the Tanami desert with her family.

Along with many Lajamanu artists of her era, Nungarrayi began painting in 1986 after completing a Traditional Painting course conducted by TAFE. She became one of the pioneers of acrylic painting on canvas in the community.

Nungarrayi’s true introduction to painting came many years earlier, learning to paint ochre onto bodies for cultural ceremonies. But acrylic paints have exposed her to a whole variation of colour that was previously unavailable.

Dedicated to preserving Warlpiri culture, Nungarrayi spent many years teaching language and tradition at the local school. She is a strongly traditional woman, with great knowledge of the bush and desert walking.

Nungarrayi’s art has been widely exhibited around Australia as well as internationally, in France, Germany and Poland. She also has artwork that is held in major national collections.