Ruth Jigili

Ruth Jigili, skin name Nangala, is the granddaughter of Lorna Fencer Napurrula, a pioneer and great innovator of the Warlpiri art movement of the mid-1980s.

Nangala paints with patience and precision, carefully drafting her work to accurately tell the stories of her Jukurrpa (Dreaming). The application of her dot work is the result of hours of dedication and great attention to detail. Her paintings follow specific forms and patterns, and often uses elements of repetition.

Nangala’s artwork is instantly recognisable and is highly respected for its grounding in tradition. Although she has only been selling her art for a brief period of time, she has already sold designs to Big W for commercial products.

As a successful younger artist in the Lajamanu community, Nangala has an important role to share her cultural knowledge and traditional stories with the Lajamanu youth.