Janet Long Nakamarra

Born:                          1960
Region:                       Tanami Desert
Community Centre:      Willowra
Country:                     Wantapari
Language Bloc:             Ngarrkic
Language:                   Warlpiri
Medium/ Form:             Acrylic paint on canvas or linen

Born at Anningie Station, north-west of Alice-Springs NT. In 1975 Janet left school and worked producing books in her Language Warlpiri. She worked at the School for 13 years. In 1990  she graduated and received a certificate for grade I teaching, through Batchelor College. 
Later, in 1992, she became a teacher Linguist.

“During my working experience I was working with my elders doing a book about their life, which we called Warlpiri Women's Voices, there were 2 other ladies working on the book. It took us 6 weeks to finish, transcribing from the tapes and translating into both Language Warlpiri and English. When the book was finish myself and the other 2 ladies went to Sydney to launch the book.

In 1989, I started to paint my stories and dreamings, I sat with my mother and my 2 aunties, they showed me how to paint my dreamings and stories. I was also working as a interpreter for the elders for land claims. In 1990, I was appointed as a councellor for BatchelorCollege helping remote students for their abstudy and helping trainee Literacy workers in the Literature production centre with their annual reports.

In 1999 1 had my solo exhibtion in Sydney, ChifleyPlaza. I have also painted a cello with Malcolm Jagamarra, (my brother) for the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition Inc.
I went to New York to exhibit my paintings which was good experience for my future.
Over the last 5 years I have worked extensively with both the Department of Health and the Law Courts as an interpreter as I speak a number of languages. I am currently studying law in NSW.”

Subjects and Themes:   
Women's bush tucker, Fire, Love story, Body paint design.

Collections:
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Australian Embassy, New York
Berndt Museum of Anthropology, University of Western Australia.

Exhibitions:
1998: Parker Gallery, Sydney
1998: "Out Of Australia" Exhibition, LuiHai-SuNational Art Museum, Shanghai, China.
1998: Aboriginal Art Galleries, Melbourne
1998: Aboriginal Desert Art Gallery, Alice Springs
1999: Jinta Desert Art Gallery, Sydney
1999: a one-person exhibition, Sydney's Chifley Square.
1999: United Nations, New York, USA
2001: Landesmuseum für Natur und Mensch, Oldenburg - Nacht derMuseen,-Brit's Art &  Promotion Quellenhof-Dorint Hotel, Aachen - EU-Australia Coal Conference - Brit's Art & Promotion,
2002: Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum, Köln - Brit's Art & Promotion "Jinta Jungu",  Museum für Naturkunde, Zentralinstitut der Humbold-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin - Brit's Art & Promotion, Leere & Vision, Herford - Brit's Art & Promotion art - communication, Vodafone, Ratingen,
2002: TOAAC Gallery, Brisbane, QLD, Solo exhibition.