• our story
  • the artists
  • news
  • contact
  • shop

papulankutjaartists

Papulankutja X Mantamaru Artists. 100% Aboriginal owned corporation based in Blackstone community.
Some happy snaps from last year’s Desert Mob event Some happy snaps from last year’s Desert Mob event 📸✨ It’s always a special time bringing artists together to celebrate culture, stories and community. We’ll be heading to more art markets very soon – stay tuned for details! #papulankutjaartists #desertmob #firstnationsart #indigenousartmarkets
Papulankutja Artists, Sharon Doolan, recently exhi Papulankutja Artists, Sharon Doolan, recently exhibited her works at Art Mob — and a few have already found new homes! 🔴✨ In the debut solo exhibition of paintings, Sharon paints the Country of her Grandfather, Aputula, using an aerial perspective inspired by a flight she took over the region back in 2008. Since then, she’s been mapping its rivers, salt lakes and surface shapes entirely from memory You can view Sharon’s full exhibition at www.artmob.com.au/exhibition/sharon-doolan-mapping-aputula/  #papulankutjaartists #artmob #indigenousart #firstnationsart
The lovely Janet Forbes — our talented Papulankutj The lovely Janet Forbes — our talented Papulankutja artist behind the upcoming exhibition at Short St Gallery 🎨 For this exhibition, Janet’s paintings explore elements of Wati Kutjarra — the story of two powerful magicians who came to the Ngaanyatjarra Lands from far away to the west. Each work shares different elements of the Wati Kutjarra story Janet’s work, along with a selection from other artists, will be part of the upcoming exhibition opening 13 March at @shortstgallery in Broome  #papulankutjaartists #indigenousart #firstnationsart #exhibitionopening
A little look at some of Janet Forbes’ works creat A little look at some of Janet Forbes’ works created in the Papulankutja studio ✨🎨 We’re excited to share that a beautiful body of works by Janet Forbes — together with select pieces from other artists — is heading to @shortstgallery on 13th March Janet has been painting with Papulankutja Artists since 2003, back when the art centre was first established at the Women’s Centre. We’re thrilled to see her work gracing the gallery walls again We can’t wait to share more of these stunning works as final selections for the gallery opening are confirmed…stay tuned!  #papulankutjaartists #indigenousart #firstnationsart
Our fortnightly outreach to Mantamaru is back in f Our fortnightly outreach to Mantamaru is back in full swing now that the busy winter months have settled. Here’s Deborah Walkabout painting in full flow ✨ We also had Sarah and Paula out on the road — our committed arts workers — prepping canvas in Jameson and passing on the skills they’ve built throughout the year. Paula has stepped up in a big way after completing studio-skills training and taking real pride in her role. Outreach to Jameson hasn’t been easy with only one full-time staff member based in Blackstone, but the work continues. These Mantamaru artists have attended a residency at GOCA, and we have Lloyd Jackson selected for Revealed next year — massive achievements for community. A big thank you to @ausgovarts and @creative.australia for supporting our arts worker positions, and to @aboriginalartcentrehubwa and @desartculturefirst for their ongoing guidance and backing. The return of Mantamaru work is always a joy — full of story, strength, and momentum. With an arts worker now based in Jameson, we’re focused on building strong on-ground support into next year. #PapulankutjaArtists #Mantamaru #aborginalart #ngaanyatjarra #outreachprogram
Bit of a late post… but Blackstone Fest last month Bit of a late post… but Blackstone Fest last month was too good not to share! 🎉🔥 We kicked off the week with @meltingpotglassstudio hosting the kids for puppet-making and the car-bonnet kiln clay project each morning — pure joy and chaos. NG Land & Culture and our senior community members led Emu Inma (cultural dancing) and spear throwing, keeping culture strong and everyone involved. We were lucky to have Mary G in community all week, bringing her iconic educational songs and visiting the school every day — the kids were buzzing There were yard cleaning comps, plus the @tjanpidesertweavers came out to run an end-of-week workshop for the ladies. And to finish it all off: a huge puppet parade, followed by the fashion parade, and then straight into Battle of the Bands — where Blackstone Band absolutely stole the show. 🎶🔥 A massive week, and the kids loved every minute. ❤️ #BlackstoneFest #PapulankutjaArtists #Ngaanyatjarra #MeltingPotStudios #maryG #tjairpidesertweavers #landandculture #communitystrong #desertlife
Wow wow wow!! What a time @desert_mob Big thanks Wow wow wow!! What a time @desert_mob Big thanks to everyone who takes part and makes this annual event such a spectacle, year in and year out. Always a highlight to see the strength of stories and talent coming together. @desartculturefirst Here we have: 1 — Angilyiya Mitchell, Kampukuta: the older sister (seven sisters) & Sharon Doolan, My Grandfather’s Country 2 — Paula Sarkaway Lyons, our proud Chairperson + Desart Board Member 🙌 3 — Sharon Doolan, My Grandfather’s Country & Janet Forbes, Wati Kutjara #PapulankutjaArtists #DesertMob2025 #aboriginalart #Ngaanyatjarra #communityart #sevenSisters #storypainting #desertpainting
Just back from Jameson today and wow-wee… what a h Just back from Jameson today and wow-wee… what a haul! 🎨✨ The studio is now bursting with fresh paintings straight from community — bold colours, big stories, and that unstoppable Mantamaru energy. Can’t wait to share these beauties with you all soon. Stay tuned… 👀💥 #PapulankutjaArtists #mantamaruartists #Jameson #Ngaanyatjarra #aboriginalart #remotestudio #communityart #freshfromthebush
DAAF 2025 We’re proud to showcase works by artists DAAF 2025 We’re proud to showcase works by artists from Papulankutja (Blackstone) and Mantamaru (Jameson) — online and in person at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair. Holding it down at the stall are Janet Forbes and Paula Lyons, representing the strength, story, and spirit of our whole art centre. 🖼️ Come by, have a yarn, and explore the powerful works from Country. 🗓️ Open now until Sunday — both on the ground and online! #DAAF2025 #PapulankutjaArtists #JanetForbes #PaulaLyons #AboriginalArt #TjukurrpaStrong #DesertArt #FromCountryToCanvas #RemoteArtCentres
July flew by in a flash out here at Papulankutja! July flew by in a flash out here at Papulankutja! We kicked off the month with a school holiday program full of laughter, colour and creativity with the kids, felt like yesterday. Some really special work has been taking shape, with senior artists Nora Davidson, Anawari Mitchell and Craig Morrison happily painting away as we gear up for a big weekend in Darwin! Catch us @darwinartfair and the @salondesrefuses_natsiaa next week — can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on 🌟🎨 #papulankutjaartists #daaf2025 #salondesrefuses #aboriginalart #Ngaanyatjarra #remotestudio #communityart #craigmorrison #anawarimitchell #noradavidson
Here she is — the one and only Paula Lyons — showi Here she is — the one and only Paula Lyons — showing off her latest piece Seven Sisters, painted live during the @aboriginalartcentrehubwa Revealed demo. Now, Paula will be the first to tell you she’s not chasing art stardom — but that’s not why we love her. She’s the heartbeat of the art centre: always here, always backing people up, keeping things rolling (and keeping us laughing). As a permanent arts worker and even a @desartculturefirst board member, her impact is way bigger than any one painting. We’re shouting out Paula not just for finishing this work, but for everything she does — the gossip, the guidance, the grind. This place wouldn’t be the same without her
Papulankutja Artists' Nora Davidson and Paula Lyon Papulankutja Artists' Nora Davidson and Paula Lyons travelled a long way from the remote Ngaanyatjarra Lands to Perth City to attend the Revealed Art Market and share their stories through a live painting demonstration. A huge thank you to @aboriginalartcentrehubwa and their wonderful team for their ongoing support, and to @wamuseum for hosting us. It was great to meet so many friendly faces — and if you missed out, you can still explore and support our artists online!
Mantamaru artist, Tamika Jackson! Tamika comes fro Mantamaru artist, Tamika Jackson! Tamika comes from a strong line of senior law keepers who’ve inspired her passion for painting these important songlines. She diligently completed this piece just in time for our trip to Perth for this year’s Revealed Art Market with @aboriginalartcentrehubwa @artgallerywa @wamuseum @pica_perth. Mantamaru (Jameson) is located 70km west of our arts centre in Papulankutja (Blackstone), and we’re proud to be reestablishing our outreach program with artists here —currently operating out of the CDP shed. We’re all feeling the buzz of new beginnings, with our first on-ground manager in years now in place!
The lovely Angilyiya Michell with her latest trium The lovely Angilyiya Michell with her latest triumph. ‘Seven Sisters’ 122 x 202cm Thanks to Sonia and Paula for the graceful assistance!
Palya! 🌞🎨 After a long, scorching break most day Palya! 🌞🎨 After a long, scorching break most days soaring past 40°C , the incredible Janet Forbes is thrilled to be back in the studio—thankfully with aircon! Here, she's painting ‘Wati Kutjarra – Two Powerful Magicians’, a Ngaanyatjarra story passed down by her father. This story starts here in Papulankutja, and Janet’s work brings it to life with breathtaking detail. Discover more about Janet’s work and other amazing artists on our website! Through the link in our bio #PapulankutjaArtists #JanetForbes #WatiKutjarra #IndigenousArt #CreationStories #Ngaanyatjarralands #painting
Follow on Instagram


Papulankutja Artists pays respect to the peoples of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara, and Yankunytjatjara lands and their intrinsic connections to their country and culture. We pay our respect to all the families, to the old ones who have passed and the young ones who are yet to emerge.

  • Instagram
  • Facebook

(+61) 457 354 049
manager(at)papulankutja.com.au

© 2025 Papulankutja Artists. All rights reserved.

Terms & Conditions – Privacy Policy

member of:

funded by:

Your cart (items: 0)

Products in cart

Product Details Total
Subtotal $0.00
Shipping and discounts calculated at checkout.
View my cart
Go to checkout

Your cart is currently empty!

Start shopping