Nancy Nungarrayi Collins was born in Yuendumu, a remote Aboriginal community located 290 kms north-west of Alice Springs in the NT of Australia. She went to the local school and then studied through Batchelor College in both Alice Springs and Katherine where she trained as a teacher assistant. After she graduated she worked in her local school for many years. Nancy is the daughter of Ruby Nakamarra Collins, an artist working with Warlukurlangu Artists. She is married to Tommy Jangala Watson who is also an artist working with Warlukurlangu Art Centre. They have three children, a daughter, and two sons, one of which is adopted.
Nancy has been working with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre located in Yuendumu, since 1995. Nancy mainly paints her father’s Jukurrpa stories, Dreamings that relate to her country, its features and its animals.
When Nancy is not painting or looking after her children she loves to go hunting, especially for goanna but not for snakes! She also likes to visit her large extended family, those who live in the Central Desert Shire at Tennant Creek and Lajamanu.
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