Pollyanne Smith

Pollyanne Smith was born near Ernabella at Balfours Well on the APY Lands and today lives in Fregon community. Her mother was from Ikari close to Watarru. Her father came from Iltur, an important men’s site south-east of Watarru. Pollyanne went to School in Ernabella and then in Fregon. Her teachers were Nancy Nicholson (Shepherd) Bob Capp and Rodney Sheridan. Her father Georgie was a local identity in Fregon and was known for growing beautiful watermelons. Pollyanne’s mother was Georgie’s second wife, and she is one of eight children. Her older brothers are Witjiti and Murray and Pollyanne, Tjunguarra (Mantuwa), Noli, Nancy, Rosemary and Paul were Georgie’s children from his second wife. Pollyanne married Yami Smith and together they had four children – Anthony, Shannon, Yami and Maxine (Brenda).

As a young woman, Pollyanne worked at the Fregon Art Centre and learnt batik, tie-dyeing and made hooked, floor rugs from handspun sheep wool rugs. Since 1994, Pollyanne has worked at the Fregon School as an Anangu Education Worker and continues to paint after school and in the holidays. Polly is a dedicated artist and respected leader at Kaltjiti Arts. Pollyanne paints the Country of her mother Untju-ku ngura, her mother’s birthplace, to the north, yet close to Watarru. A large hill with a rockhole in the middle is a distinguishing feature of this Country. Also in this region is Mamungari’nya the place where the monster spirit lies; it is a place of minyma tjukurpa (women’s dreaming).