Puna Yanima

Puna Yanima, b. 1955

De Rose Hill, South Australia

lives and works in Mimili

Yankunytjatjara

Puna Yanima was born in the bush close to De Rose Hill Station in the far north of South Australia. Her father was Norman Yanima, and his country was Piltati, near Nyapari. Her mother was Lucy Yanima, and her country was Iwantja. Puna spent her first years living off the land and traveling between communities with her parents and siblings. She grew up speaking Yankunytjatjara, and eventually moved to Iwantja as a young girl. Once Puna started a family on her own, she moved to Mimili with her partner and four children.

Puna continues to be one of the senior cultural leaders of Mimili Community. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge of inma (ceremonial song and dance) and culture with the next generation, and is an advocate for the maintenance of the endangered Yankunytjatjara language.

Puna was introduced to the storylines of Antara as a young woman, and has since continued to integrate this knowledge into her life, sharing her knowledge with family and visitors alike.

Puna started connecting her deep knowledge of country with the practice of painting as soon as Mimili Maku Arts was founded. As one of the community leaders, she was instrumental in developing the art centre in its early stages. Today, Puna is best known for her inky, fluid and free artworks. Her paintings radiate a sense of ease and joyfulness, both character traits she is much-loved for in Mimili.