April Nulgit

My name is April Nulgit – I am a Gija/Ngarinyn women from Warrmarn Community otherwise known as Turkey Creek, I come from a big family of five brothers and one sister – I am also the eldest of my siblings. My mother is a Gija women from Turkey Creek whereas my father is from the Back Rangers – out of the three main clans surrounding Derby region – my father is of the Ngarinyn tribe.

Growing up I recall spending most of our childhood out on my mother’s country, known as its traditional name Ngarrgarroon. Weather it was during the weekend or the long holidays along with the whole family – old and young being together. As we set out on two or three 4WD cars full loaded, while driving along the way to Texas we would stop at one of our many “picnic places” ( as we like to call it), spending our time swimming and fishing.. Growing up alongside our elders made us resilient, strong –  making me who I am today. It is because of them we know our traditions, culture, and value and I am very grateful.

“At home as a child, when I had nothing to do and I’d see my mother or grandfather (Churchill) painting, I’d then go and sit beside them – not really saying anything but just observing the colours, observing the way the artist uses the brushes, the movements it creates within their artworks then followed by the Ngarnankarni (dream-time) stories that were told to me as i asked “what’s this painting about”. – especially the technique my grandfather used, I was always inspired by him as an artist as well as my great-grandmother Betty Carrington (now dec) and other elderly artist.

Finally “At the age of 10yr I did my first ever painting with the natural ochres on canvas, from then onwards up until now I am currently 28yr now and is still painting.”

Most of April’s works are associated with her mother’s traditional country known as Ngarrgarroon, the subjects around the artworks that April produces are of the many ngarrankarni stories that were told to her by her senior members and family, she also describes her upbringing on country and the memories and places that are special to her through her artwork.