Eunice Napanangka Jack

Eunice was born in 1940 at Lupul in the Sir Frederick Ranges. When Eunice was a little girl, and like so many other Aboriginal families at the time, shortages of food forced her family east towards the ration stations being set up in central Australia. She remembers the travels with her family very vividly and refers to it as when her mother carried her piggy back all the way from Western Australia to Haasts Bluff.

Now an important woman in the community Eunice is well known for her hunting skills, dancing and traditional law knowledge. Eunice started painting with the opening of the Ikuntji Women’s Centre in August of 1992. Prior to that during the 1970s she assisted her husband Gideon Tjupurrula Jack who was painting at Papunya Tula. Eunice’s paintings are interpretations of her country near Lake Mackay. She uses layers of colour to build up a vision of the bush flowers and grasses. Amongst this landscape Eunice’s personal stories are told, either of the travelling of her tjukurrpa – the Bilby – or the people who once lived in the area. Her father was Tutuma Tjapangarti, one of the first men to paint for Papunya Tula. Eunice also paints his country, which includes Tjukurla, Tjila, Kurulto and Lupul. Her mother was from the Walpiri side of Lake Mackay – Winparrku – in Western Australia. A brilliant colourist, Eunice’s Hairstring, Tali (sandhill), Mungada (apple) and wildflower paintings display great talent and dedication to her profession and traditions. Her Hairstring works are made up of thousands of varied colour strokes, representing the hair being rolled on women’s thighs to make bags and clothing. Her Mungada (apple) works hold myriad dusted mauve circles overlaying the ground of varicoloured-feathered brushwork. Highly collectable, Eunice is represented in leading galleries worldwide.

Languages

Luritja, Ngaanyatjarra, Pintupi

Community

Haasts Bluff

Artwork themes

  • Hairstring of my Father's Country
  • Mungada (Bush Tucker)

Artworks

Current Exhibitions

Past Exhibitions

Solo

  • 2021
    Eunice Napanangka Jack Solo Exhibition, Outstation Gallery, Darwin., 2 - 19 October
  • 2019
    ‘Childhood Memories of Kuruyultu’ Solo Exhibition, Outstation Gallery, Darwin., 6 Apr 2019 - Tue 30 Apr
  • 2017
    Kuruyultu - Eunice Napanangka Jack, Outstation Gallery, Darwin.
  • 2016
    Kunga Kotara - Two Women, Tunbridge Gallery, Subiaco.
  • 2009
    Ochre Gallery Melbourne.
  • 2008
    Eunice & Alice (with Alice Nampitjinpa), Eva Breuer Art Dealer, Sydney.
  • 2007
    Painting My Tjukurrpa (with Marinka Nangala Marshall), Ochre Gallery, Melbourne.
  • 2007
    Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne., with Alice Nampitjinpa.
  • 2006
    Ochre Gallery, Melbourne.
  • 2004
    Eunice Jack & Alice Nampitjinpa, Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.
  • 2003
    Boutwell Draper, Sydney.
  • 2003
    Desert Secrets of Eunice Napanangka, Gallery GabriellePizzi, Melbourne.
  • 1999
    Tjilkamata & Watuya, Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.

Group

  • 2025
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Charles Darwin University Gallery, NT, 29 October 2025 – 28 February 2026
  • 2025
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Yarrila Arts & Museum, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2 August – 12 October 2025
  • 2025
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Murray Bridge Regional Gallery, SA, 24 May – 27 July 2025
  • 2025
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Queen Victoria Museum & Gallery, TAS, 1 February – 11 May 2025
  • 2024
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Dandenong Ranges Cultural Centre, VIC, 23 November 2024 – 18 January 2025
  • 2024
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Benalla Art Gallery, VIC, 9 August – 27 October 2024
  • 2024
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, NSW, 14 June – 29 July 2024
  • 2024
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, NSW, 23 March – 19 May 2024
  • 2023
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre, NSW, 8 December 2023 – 8 December 2023
  • 2023
    Make Award -Biennial Prize for Innovation in Australian Craft and Design, Australian Design Centre, Sydney NSW
  • 2023
    Ikuntji Textiles, Central Craft, Alice Springs NT
  • 2023
    See My World - QV1 Building, Perth, WA, 1 Aug - 1 Sep 2023
  • 2023
    National Indigenous Art Fair, Sydney NSW
  • 2023
    Connection - The Lume Art Gallery, Melbourne, VIC, 23 June - 30 June 2023
  • 2023
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, New England Regional Art Museum, NSW, 2 June – 27 August 2023
  • 2023
    Ikuntji Collection, Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, Sydney NSW
  • 2023
    Ikuntji Style, Artisan, Brisbane
  • 2023
    Ikuntji Style, Artisan, Brisbane
  • 2023
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, QLD, 4 March – 7 May 2023
  • 2022
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery , QLD, 26 November 2022 – 15 January 2023
  • 2022
    Hazelhurst Ikuntji Artists Printmaking 2022, Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Sydney.
  • 2022
    Three Echoes – Western Desert Art, Caboolture Regional Art Gallery, QLD, 10 September – 19 November 2022
  • 2022
    2022 Tjunguku Tjukurrpa - Paris, voici nos Rêves !, IDAIA, Paris, France
  • 2022
    Ikuntji Textiles Exhibition, Central Craft, Alice Springs.
  • 2022
    Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin.
  • 2022
    ‘Nganana Tjungu – This is Us’, Songlines, Darwin.
  • 2022
    NAIDOC MCA Store Exhibition and Activation, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney.
  • 2022
    London Pacific Fashion Week, Dublin Runway Show, Royal Dublin Society.
  • 2022
    Weaving Culture II: Ikuntji Artists, IDAIA, Lyon, France., 9 Jun - 9 July
  • 2022
    First Nations Fashion Design - Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, Carriageworks. Sydney.
  • 2022
    Couleurs Australie, IDAIA at BHV Marais, Paris, France
  • 2022
    Hazelhurst Art on Paper Award 2021, Hazelhurst Arts Centre., 22 Jan 2022 - 27 Mar
  • 2021
    Dessin du territoire – Territoire du dessin / Land drawing – Land of drawing, IDAIA, Australian Embassy, Paris, France., 6 October 2021 to 7 January 2022.
  • 2021
    The Banyule Award for Works on Paper Award, Banyule ., Finalist Exhibition
  • 2021
    Painting Now – Peindre aujourd’hui en terres aborigènes”, IDAIA, Le Havre, France., 10 July – 7th November
  • 2021
    Land Drawing – Drawing of the Land, IDAIA, Les Jardins Suspendus, Le Havre, France., 3 July - 3 September
  • 2021
    Weaving Culture - Textiles aborigènes contemporains, IDAIA, Lyon, France.
  • 2020
    Story Necklace exhibition, South Australian Museum, Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery, Adelaide.
  • 2020
    Tarnanthi Art Fair 2020, Adelaide, Friday 4 – Sunday 6
  • 2020
    Country to Couture 2020, Darwin., Ikuntji X Magpie Goose fashion collaboration
  • 2020
    HOME:Made Exhibition, DESIGN Canberra 2020, Canberra.
  • 2020
    Ikuntji textiles Exhibition, Central Craft , Alice Springs., Sun 6 Sep - Mon 28 Sep
  • 2019
    2019 AIATSIS Indigenous Art Market, Canberra.
  • 2019
    Tarnanthi Art Fair 2019, Adelaide.
  • 2019
    Desert Mob Market Place 2019, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs., Desert mob 2019 5th, 6th and 7th September.
  • 2019
    Our Country – True Story, Vincent Lingiari Art Award Exhibition, Tangentyere Artists, Alice Springs.
  • 2019
    Ikuntji Textiles, Central Craft, Alice Springs.
  • 2019
    Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair 2019, Darwin., 9-11 August
  • 2019
    Salon des Refuses, Charles Darwin University Gallery, Darwin.
  • 2018
    AIATSIS Aboriginal Art Fair 2018, Canberra.
  • 2018
    Tali - My Country | Aboriginal Art Exhibition, Michell Fine Art, Brisbane., 14th November – 22nd December
  • 2018
    TARNANTHI Art Fair 2018, Adelaide.
  • 2018
    Ikuntji Artists - Irrimatitja, Japingka Gallery, Fremantle.
  • 2018
    Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair 2018, Darwin.
  • 2018
    "Haasts Bluff” contemporary art from the Ikuntji Artists, Yaama Ganu Gallery, Moree.
  • 2018
    Power and Colour - an Introduction to Aboriginal Art: Celebrating the artists, their communities and culture, presented, 34th Tribal & Textile Art Show, San Francisco, United States., by Yaama Ganu Gallery.
  • 2017
    Parrtjima - Festival in Light, Desert Park, Alice Springs.
  • 2017
    Desert Mob, Araluen, Alice Springs.
  • 2017
    11th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin Convention Centre, Darwin.
  • 2017
    2017 Salon des Refuses, Charles Darwin University Gallery, Darwin.
  • 2017
    Salon des Refuses 2017, Charles Darwin University, Darwin.
  • 2017
    Centralian Art Award, Central Australian Art Society, Araluen Arts Centre Alice Springs.
  • 2017
    One Country - Many Stories, Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane.
  • 2017
    Ngurra Kutju - Tjukurrpa Tjuta, One Country - Many Stories, Exhibition at Colin Biggers & Paisley, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane.
  • 2017
    Calleen Art Award Finalist, Cowra Regional Art Gallery, Cowra.
  • 2016
    33rd Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
  • 2016
    10th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin Convention Centre, Darwin.
  • 2016
    Kurlkayima Ngatha -Remember Me, Courthouse Gallery, Port Hedland.
  • 2016
    Chants du Desert - Art aborigene contemporain, La Chapelle du College dEu, Ville dEu, France.
  • 2016
    Malpa Wiru (NAIDOC Celebration), Signal Point Gallery, Goolwa.
  • 2016
    ‘Artist’s Hand: Collector’s Eye’ National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.
  • 2016
    The Blooming Desert, Talapi, Alice Springs.
  • 2016
    Kurlkayima Ngatha - Remember Me, FORM, Perth.
  • 2016
    Ikuntji Artists – Paintings from Haasts Bluff, Jaktman Australian Contemporary Art Gallery.
  • 2015
    Tarnanthi Festival Art Fair, Tandanya Institute, Adelaide.
  • 2015
    Tarnanthi Festival, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide.
  • 2015
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2015
    Ancestral Presence - recent works by Ikuntji Artists, June Marriott Gallery, Central Craft, Araluen Cultural Precinct.
  • 2015
    9th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin.
  • 2015
    Colors of Nature, Shinsegae Gallery, Seoul, South Korea.
  • 2015
    Power of Place, FORM, State Theatre, Perth.
  • 2015
    Art Parade, Whistlewood.
  • 2014
    Around the Campfire, Fundraiser Concert, Alice Springs.
  • 2014
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2014
    8th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin Convention Centre, Darwin.
  • 2014
    21 Years Ikuntji Artists Festival, Ikuntji Artists, Haasts Bluff.
  • 2013
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2013
    A Love of Country: The Indigenous Perspective, A Seymour College Art Exhibition.
  • 2013
    7th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Darwin.
  • 2013
    SOAF - Seoul Open Art Fair, Seoul, South Korea.
  • 2011
    IndigenousArt, International Grammar School, Sydney.
  • 2011
    The Nature of Things, CDU Art Gallery, Charles Darwin University, Darwin., featuring work by Carole Wilson, 13 April - 10 June.
  • 2010
    Ochre Gallery, Melbourne.
  • 2010
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2010
    Korowa College exhibition, Melbourne.
  • 2010
    Scotch College Exhibition, Melbourne.
  • 2010
    Where Creeks Cross: New Australian Aboriginal Paintings from Ikuntji, Booker-Lowe Gallery, Houston, United States.
  • 2009
    Artkelch, Germany.
  • 2009
    Qdos Gallery, Germany.
  • 2009
    ArtMob, Hobart.
  • 2009
    Gallery Runfurlie, Melbourne.
  • 2009
    Womens Business, Booker-Lowe Gallery, Houston.
  • 2009
    Eunice Napanangka Jack and Alice Nampitjinpa, Eva Breuer Art Dealer, Sydney.
  • 2008
    Ikuntji Icons, Artmob, Hobart.
  • 2008
    Land and Mythology- Art of the Western Desert, Artequity, Sydney.
  • 2008
    Mixed Show, Palya Art, Mary Place, Sydney.
  • 2008
    Ikuntji Artists, QDos Arts, Lorne.
  • 2008
    Ikuntji Artists, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney.
  • 2008
    Palya Art, Gallows Gallery, Perth.
  • 2008
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2008
    Ikuntji meets Brisbane, Woolloongabba Art Gallery, Brisbane.
  • 2008
    Aboriginal Art- Window to Culture, Australian Embassy (Australia Day Exhibition), ARTKELCH, Berlin, Germany.
  • 2008
    Value of Country, Artkelch, Direct Invest, Düsseldorf, Germany.
  • 2008
    Winter Warmers, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney.
  • 2008
    Palya Art, Cabinet Malemont, Paris, France.
  • 2007
    Group Show, Palya Art, Mary Place, Sydney.
  • 2007
    Cultural Connections - Desert Stories, Artitja Fine Art, Perth.
  • 2007
    Ikuntji Now, Woolloongabba Art Gallery, Brisbane.
  • 2007
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2007
    Gruppenausstellung, ArtKelch, Freiburg, Germany.
  • 2007
    Desert Stories, Artitja Fine Art, Perth.
  • 2007
    Ikuntji Women Painters, Kingsfisher Gallery, Perth.
  • 2007
    Divas of the Desert, Gondwana Gallery, Alice Springs and Sydney.
  • 2007
    Ikuntji Show, QDos Gallery, Lorne.
  • 2007
    Licht in der Wüste. Aboriginal Art aus der Central und Western Desert, ARTKELCH, Galerie im Lichthaus Kirchner, Weinstadt, Germany.
  • 2007
    25th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
  • 2007
    Yungkiya & Kulunypa - Old & New, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney.
  • 2006
    Yaiti Yamimi, Bandigan Gallery, Sydney.
  • 2006
    Best Of The Best, Framed Gallery, Darwin.
  • 2006
    Palya Art, Mary Place, Darwin, NT and Sydney.
  • 2006
    Group Show, Ochre Gallery, Melbourne.
  • 2006
    Womens Business, ArtKelch, Freiburg, Germany.
  • 2006
    Group Show, Short St Gallery, Broome.
  • 2006
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2006
    Group Show, Palya Art, Melbourne.
  • 2006
    Tiwi Ngurrara, ARTKELCH, Freiburg, Germany.
  • 2006
    Group Show, Australia Dreaming Art, Melbourne.
  • 2006
    Desert Dreamings: Earth + Water, Artitja Fine Art, Perth.
  • 2006
    Cicada Trading Gallery, Middle East.
  • 2006
    The TogArt Contemporary Art Exhibition, Darwin.
  • 2005
    Big Country, Gondwana, Alice Springs.
  • 2005
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2005
    Senior Aboriginal Women Artists of Central Australia, Gadfly Gallery, Perth.
  • 2005
    Anangu, ReDot Gallery, Singapore.
  • 2005
    Cicada Trading Gallery, Middle East.
  • 2004
    Strata: Deserts Past Present and Future, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs.
  • 2004
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2004
    Elisabeth Baehr, Art Frankfurt, Germany.
  • 2004
    Art Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
  • 2004
    Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.
  • 2004
    Desert Divas, Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs.
  • 2004
    Ikuntji Desert Belles, ReDot Gallery, Singapore.
  • 2004
    Brisbane Art Fair, Susan OConnell Gallery.
  • 2004
    Big Country, Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs.
  • 2003
    Desert Show, Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs.
  • 2003
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2003
    Desert Divas, Gallery Gondwana, Alice Springs.
  • 2003
    ReDot Gallery, Singapore.
  • 2003
    Carole Queriye, London, United Kingdom.
  • 2003
    Indigenart, Perth.
  • 2003
    Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.
  • 2003
    Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery, London.
  • 2003
    FireWorks Gallery, Brisbane.
  • 2002
    Ikuntji Mob, Framed - The Darwin Gallery, Darwin.
  • 2002
    Onshore Gallery, Geelong.
  • 2002
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 2002
    Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.
  • 2002
    Adelaide Fringe Festival, Desart Exhibition.
  • 2000
    Our Country - Pintupi Women from Haasts Bluff, RAFT Artspace, Darwin.
  • 2000
    Ikuntji Artists, Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.
  • 2000
    Recent works from Ikuntji Artists, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney.
  • 2000
    Pintupi Women, Desart Gallery, Sydney.
  • 1999
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 1999
    5th National Indigenous Heritage Art Award, The Art of Place, Canberra.
  • 1999
    Womens Work, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney.
  • 1999
    Ikuntji Artists - Warlayirti Artists, Desart Gallery, Sydney.
  • 1999
    Spirit Country: Australian Aboriginal Art from the Gantner Myer Collection, Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, United States.
  • 1999
    Indigenous Art of the Dreamtime, United Nations, New York, United States.
  • 1998
    Ikuntji Tjuta Touring Retrospective, Campbelltown City Art Gallery, Sydney.
  • 1998
    Ikuntji Walka, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney.
  • 1998
    Adelaide Fringe Festival, Desart Exhibition, Adelaide.
  • 1997
    Culture Store, Rotterdam Art Gallery, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
  • 1997
    Ikuntji: Paintings from Haasts Bluff, Darwin.
  • 1997
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 1997
    Ikuntji Painters, Galerie Dusseldorf, Perth.
  • 1997
    Dreamings - Walonia, Brussels, Belgium.
  • 1997
    Bischoffs, Burbank California.
  • 1996
    Ikuntji Tjuta, Alliance Francaise, Canberra.
  • 1996
    Desert Mob, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 1996
    Dreamings - Aboriginal kunst uit Australie, Arnhem, Netherlands.
  • 1996
    Ikuntji Tjuta, Gallerie Australis, Adelaide.
  • 1996
    14th National Aboriginal Art Award, Darwin.
  • 1995
    Native Title Now, Tandanya, Adelaide.
  • 1995
    Heritage Art Award, Canberra.
  • 1995
    Miracles from the Desert, Savode Gallery, Brisbane.
  • 1995
    Minyma Mankurrpala Ikuntji Ngurra, Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.
  • 1995
    MAGNT Shell Launch, Darwin.
  • 1995
    13th National Aboriginal Art Award, Darwin.
  • 1994
    Paintings from Haasts Bluff, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney.
  • 1994
    Northern Territory Art Award, Alice Springs.
  • 1994
    Minyma Tjukurrpa, Haasts Bluff/Kintore Canvas Project, Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, Adelaide.
  • 1994
    12th National Aboriginal Art Award, Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
  • 1994
    Paintings from Haasts Bluff, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney.
  • 1994
    Ikuntji: New Art from the Western Desert, The Darwin Gallery, Darwin.
  • 1994
    26th Alice Prize, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs.
  • 1993
    Ikuntji Minyma Tjuta 1992-94, Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.
  • 1993
    Australian High Commission & Shangri-la Hotel, Singapore.
  • 1993
    Northern Territory Art Award, Alice Springs.
  • 1993
    Heritage Art Award, Canberra.
  • 1993
    Ikuntji: Paintings from Haasts Bluff 1992-1994, Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne.
  • 1993
    2nd National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition, Old Parliament House.
  • 1993
    National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Exhibition, Australian Heritage Commission, Old Parliament House.
  • 1993
    11th National Aboriginal Art Award, Darwin.
  • 1992
    Northern Territory Art Award, Alice Springs.

Collections

  • Bailleau Myer, de Young Museum, San Francisco, United States.
  • Campbelltown Regional Gallery, Campbelltown.
  • Flinders University, Adelaide.
  • Gabrielle Pizzi Collection, Melbourne.
  • Museum And Art Gallery of Northern Territory, Darwin.
  • National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.
  • Private Collections.
  • Thomas Vroom-Sammlung, Amsterdam.
  • University of Tasmania, Hobart.
  • ReDot Gallery, Singapore.
  • Ganter Myer Collection, Fine Arts Museum, San Francisco.
  • Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, Darwin.
  • Helen Read Collection.
  • Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Art Collection, Canberra.
  • Moreton Bay Region Art Collection, Caboolture.
  • Charles Darwin University Collection, Darwin.
  • The Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide.
  • Murdoch University Art Collection, Perth.
  • Araluen Art Centre, Alice Springs.
  • Fremantle Arts Centre Collection, Fremantle.
  • Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong.