Sonya Napaljarri Cooke

Sonya is the wife of Henry Jakamarra Cooke who was a dynamic community leader. He lived to over 100 years old.

Sonya has a number of sons and daughters and lives in Lajamanu in a large extended lively household.

Sonya and Henry often painted in the art centre together. Sonya is a traditional lady knowing her culture and history and began painting in the early ’80’s.  Her style now is in very bright colours.  She often depicts Pirkilyi her fathers country and does this from a topographical view.  In these works she may also include the local animals and people that are the guardians who live there and have done since the beginning of time.

Sonya also knows a lot about the local medicine plants and their uses.