Kathy Maringka

Born : 1954

Mother's country: Irruntju - Wingellina

Father's Country: Mt Ebenezer

Languages: Pitjantjatjara and Yankuntjatjara

Themes
Ngura – Country in particular Creeks and Rockholes
Walka - Design


Kathy was born in the bush, near Ernabella, SA. Her family moved into the mission at Ernabella and she went to school there, before moving to Victory Downs, a cattle station near Ernabella. Kathy worked as a Cultural Tour Guide at Uluru, guiding tourists and cleaning and washing dishes at the tourist camp.
Kathy returned to Ernabella to marry and has five children. In Ernabella, Kathy started work at the art centre and learnt to sew, spin wool and make rugs.
Kathy and her family moved to Fregon in the 1970s, when it was still a mission outstation. At the Fregon craft room Kathy learnt batik techniques and painting with acrylics on canvas.

Kathy’s work is abstract, with strong, original designs inspired by her traditional country and culture of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands. Her designs are also used in the Kaltjiti collaborative rug project, which is a cross-cultural project with traditional crafts people in Kashmir.