Barbara Derose

Barbara DeRose is minyma Anangu, an Aboriginal woman from the Central Desert area of Australia. She works in the Aged Care Home at Docker River helping to look after the senior members of her community.

As well as being a skilled and prolific wood carver, Barbara is a talented painter with Tjarlirli Arts. Her skills have been passed on through the Tjukurpa, the Law and way of life governing her country.

Barbara was born in Arayonga in 1959. She grew up in Docker River and also went to school at Docker River. The missionaries thought the children. They spoke Pitjantjara at the time.

Barbara got married in Docker River and has 6 children and 11 grandchildren.

She learned how to do carvings from her mother and grandmother and aunts.

Her fathers country are in the Peterman ranges and her mother country is Areyonga.

Her Mothers name was Ungaini and her father Harry  ‘Big Food’ Pinguntree.