Nami Kulyuru

Nami Kulyuru was the eldest sister from a family of talented batik silk artists and painters. She had both Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara heritage.

Born and raised in Ernabella (Pukatja) in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, Nami first learned to paint by watching her mother in the Ernabella craft room.

Nami was renowned for her batik silks, was a skilled weaver, and made hand-painted necklaces. She also facilitated mukata (hand-woven beanies) workshops in Canberra.

Growing up around the church, where her father was a minister, Nami was also a talented musician and sang in the choir for the Big hART performance of Ngapartji Ngapartji in 2008.

Nami was a qualified primary school teacher and was considered one of the key Pitjantjatjara teachers in Ernabella. She worked at Better World Arts and Ngura Wiru Winkiku in Adelaide and was a valued member of the team, contributing to public art projects and community activities.