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Narpula Napurrula Scobie B.1950

An ancient culture of 60,000 years gave the World its most exciting Contemporary Art


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Narpula Scobie Napurrula also known as Nabula Scobie is a well-known Australian Aboriginal artist. She is the sister of Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula and the widow of Johnny Scobie Tjapanangka, one of the original shareholders of Papunya Tula Artists. In the 80s, Narpula began painting for Papunya Tula Artists, created an explosion of creativity, with further artistic recognition painting exclusively acrylics on canvas. In 1984 Scobie won the Alice Prize. In 2001 won the 1st Prize, the prestigious 18th the prestigious Australian Aboriginal Art Award.

Narpula Napurrula work has the sheer physical presence of the much contemporary work of fine art, with intensity and dynamic movement of multi-dimensional of space and depth. Vivien Johnson, a curator and a famous writer on Indigenous Australian art, describes Narbula Napurrula as ‘a brilliant artist’.

Narpula Naparrula is successful in the World Art Market, and held in worldwide collections i.e. ArtBank, National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of NSW, National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of SA, Art Gallery of WA, Museum Art Gallery of NT, Queensland Art Gallery, Powerhouse Museum Sydney, Richard Kelton Foundation Santa Monica USA. Biography page 266, Aboriginal Artists dictionary of biographies.

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 Narpula Napurrula Scobie

Body Paint (77-340)
 Synthetic polymer paint on Belgian Linen
 
185 cm x 120 cm

Price:  Enquire 

Provenance: Watiyawanu Artists of Amunturrngu

shipping worldwide

Narpula Napurrula Scobie

Body Paint 77-07016
Synthetic polymer paint on Belgian Linen
185 x 95 cm

Price: SOLD

Provenance: Watiyawanu Artists of Amunturrngu

 

Narpula Napurrula Scobie, Body Paint (77-340), Synthetic polymer paint on Belgian Linen, size 185 x 120 cm, Provenance: Watiyawanu Artists of Amunturrngu Price: Enquire 

 

Biography  Narpula Napurrula Scobie  B.1950

 

Narpula Scobie Napurrula was born around 1950 near Haasts Bluff and grew up in Papunya in Central Australia.

Nabula Scobie Napurrula also known as Nabula Scobie is a well-known Australian Aboriginal artist. Biography page 266, Aboriginal Artists dictionary of biographies.

Narpula is the sister of the great painter Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula (1942-2001). Mother of Narpula Scobie is Nganyima Napaltjarri. Aboriginals did practice polygamy and Narpula Scobie shared her father Tupa Tjakamarra with Mitjili Napurrula (1945-2019) from whom they inherited the right to paint works related to Ilyingaungau in the Gibson Desert.

In the early 1980s years, Narpula began painting for Papunya Tula Artists, she was one of the first women to paint in her own right for Papunya Tula. Scobie created an explosion of creativity, attaining further artistic recognition painting exclusively acrylics on canvas.

Narpula is the widow of Johnny Scobie Tjapanangka (1938-2000) who was one of the original shareholders and artist with Papunya Tula Artists.

In 1984 Scobie won the Alice Prize. In 2001 won the 1st Prize, the prestigious 18th the prestigious Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NATSIAA Art Award.

Vivien Johnson, a curator and a famous writer on Indigenous Australian art, describes Nabula Scobie Napurrula as ‘a brilliant artist in her own right’.

Scobie Napurrula paintings have the sheer physical presence of the much contemporary work of fine art, with intensity and dynamic movement of multi-dimensional of space and depth.

Narpula Scobie is successful in the World Art Market, Scobie's 'Windbreak Rockhole and Women's Body Paint' canvas for sold $9,840 (Elder Fine Art).

Narpula Scobie Naparrula work is held in worldwide collections ArtBank, National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery of South Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Museum & Art Gallery Northern Territory, Queensland Art Gallery, Powerhouse Museum Sydney, Australian Museum, Richard Kelton Foundation Santa Monica USA, Homes a Court Collection and Australian State Galleries.

Narpula Scobie Napurrula paints subjects associated with the Dreaming stories of her brother Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula, as well as Dreaming of Women ceremonies and ritual body painting motifs.

One of the Dreaming of Women’s stories relates to the Ancestral women who travelled from the south at Mitukatjirra travelling to Ngutjul then on to locations to the north-west.

Narpula paintings relate to women’s ceremony and of traditional bush foods designs. Narpula depicts Dreaming (stories) of bush food, including the 'Two Women who came from Mitukutjarrayi' in the south.

Narpula also depicts the travels of the Rainbow Snake during the time of creation. According to Aboriginal ancient believes “Wanampi” (snake) travelled underground and as it reached the surface it would create a waterhole, and each of these locations became sacred sites for ceremonial purposes. The markings of the snake became designs used for body decoration during tribal dance. Grid patterns represent the landscape, “U” shapes represent the women as they collect bush food sourced in areas shown as small concentric circles.

Narpula Scobie Napurrula lives at Mt Liebig with her children and grandchildren. Narpula feels very strongly about her cultural beliefs and this clearly comes through in her painting. She encourages younger generations to learn about their culture and Dreamings, telling the ancient stories both in ceremonial sand painting and with painting on canvas.

Scobie grew up with the traditions of desert art and worked at Papunya at an historic moment in time. As around 1970 at Papunya the desert art movement began and the movement of Aboriginal art gained momentum.

In 1971 Nabula was about twenty one years old, she become the ‘promised’ bride to Johnny Scobie Tjapanangka 1938-2000 - Johnny Scobie Tjapanangka | National Museum of Australia

Nabula married Johnny Scobie Tjapanangka, a well-known Pintupi artist who was involved at the beginning of the art movement in Papunya in the 70's.

Johnny Scobie Tjapanangka was one of the list of original shareholders of Papunya Tula Artists, only a handful of paintings are attributed to him from the very early years.

Vivien Johnson writes in her book about the couple, Scobie Napurrula and Johnny Scobie Tjapanangka. Vivien Johnson describes Napurrula as ‘a talented artist in her own right’ Scobie was regarded as the ‘founder’ female painter at Kintore.

The couple lived first at Haasts Bluff where Johnny worked as a stockman at the government cattle station, before moving to Papunya Narpula is tall and slender like her brother, but Johnny Scobie Tjapanangka was, in Dick Kimber’s words, ‘the tallest Pintubi man at about 6’5” (1.9m)’.

After her husband Johnny Scobie Tjapanangka passed away, Narpula moved back to their traditional lands around Kintore which West of Alice Springs, some kilometers from the Western Australian border. Settling there she continued to paint for Papunya Tula Artists.

Narpula Scobie Napurrula lives at Mt Liebig with her children and grandchildren and feels very strongly about her cultural beliefs and this clearly comes through in her painting. Narpula Scobie encourages younger generations to learn about their ancient culture Dreamings, she is sharing the Dreaming stories in ceremonial sand painting and also in paintings on canvas.

 

Awards 

1984 Alice Prize Alice Springs Art Award, Alice Springs

2001 (1st Prize) the prestigious 18th the prestigious Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NATSIAA Art Award
 

 

Major Exhibitions:

1984 Papunya and Beyond, Araluen Art Centre, Alice Springs

1985 Two Worlds Collide: Cultural Convergences in Aboriginal and White Australian Art, Artspace, Sydney

1987 Art and Aboriginality, Aspex Gallery, Portsmouth

1987 Art and Aboriginality, Portsmouth

1988 Queensland Museum, Brisbane, Australia

1988 Aboriginal Paintings incorporating the Maude Vizard-Wholohan Art Prize Purchase Awards, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide

1988 Art and Aboriginality, Portsmouth

1988 Wanderausstellung Australian Art Exhibition touring China


1990 Friendly Country and Friendly People, Araluen Centre for the Arts, Alice Springs, Australia

1991 The Painted Dream. Contemporary Aboriginal Paintings, Auckland City Art Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand

1994 Chapman Gallery, Canberra, Australia

1995 Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs NT

1996 Papunya Tula Artists Pty. Ltd., Alice Springs

1997 Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide

1997 Geschichtenbilder, Aboriginal Art Galerie Bähr, Speyer

1998 Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs NT

1999 Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia

2000 Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs NT

2003 Chapel on Chapel Gallery, Melbourne VIC

2005 Watiyawanu Artists, Japingka Gallery Fremantle WA

2006 Watiyawanu, Bond Aboriginal Art, Adelaide SA

2006 Australian Aboriginal Art 2006/2007, John Gordon Gallery, Sydney NSW

2007 Watiyawanu Artists of Amunturrngu, Japingka Gallery, Fremantle WA

2001 Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory Australian National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Telstra Award (1st Prize)

2001 Aboriginal Art 2001, Scott Livesey Art Dealer, Melbourne, Australia

2001 Galerie Knud Grothe, Charlottenlund, Denmark

2001 Museé des Beaux Arts et d´Archeologie de Vienne

 

 

COLLECTIONS:

ArtBank Sydney

Homes a Court Collection

National Gallery of Australia (Canberra)

Art Gallery of New South Wales (Sydney)

Art Gallery of South Australia (Adelaide)

National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne)

Art Gallery of Western Australia (Perth)

Museum & Art Gallery Northern Territory (Darwin)

Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane

Powerhouse Museum Sydney

Australian Museum, Sydney

Richard Kelton Foundation, Santa Monica, USA

Thomas Vroom Collection

Flinders Art Museum, Adelaide

private collections USA, Miami, USA, China, Germany, Denmark, Poland, Indonesia

 

 

Narpula Scobie Naparrula Body Painting  

Awelye refers to women’s ceremonies associated with women’s business and refers to the painting of designs on a woman’s body. Awelye makes connections with the fertility of the land and a celebration of the food it provides. It is performed by Aboriginal women from the Utopia region to recall their ancestors, to show respect for their country and to demonstrate their responsibility for the wellbeing of their community.

Awelye ceremonies begin with the women painting each other’s bodies in designs relating to a particular woman’s Dreaming and in accordance with their skin name. The Awelye designs represent a range of Dreaming’s including animals and plants, healing and law.

In what has been described as a sensuous and meditative performance, the designs are painted on the upper breast, chest and arms using powders ground from ochre, charcoal and ash. It is applied in raw linear and curved lines, while the women sing Dreaming songs of Ancestral figures and activities. The final part of the ceremony is when the women assiduously perform dance cycles specific to site. In many cases, the preparation for body paint and dances take much longer than the performance.

Body art or Aboriginal body painting is a major part of aboriginal culture. The designs or patterns reflect each person relationship and standing in Aboriginal community and also their ancestors and totem animal. The painting is part of the complex laws and religion and stories that make up ceremonial life. Each ceremony has different painting symbols used as a link specifically for that particular ceremony. Cultural ceremonies are performed once the initiation ceremony is fulfilled by participants then they are able to fully fulfil their obligations. The initiation ceremony takes many hours or days of preparations and training sessions. A person cannot change their body art design and the designs are not applied by the individual. This body art is also representative of the various regions and their totemic responsibilities to that group showing the participants position within this grouping. The initiated women and men are carefully painted to perform this sacred ceremony.

 

 

Literature Source & FURTHER REFERENCES

Nabula Scobie Napurrula also known as Nabula Scobie Biography page 266, Aboriginal Artists dictionary of biographies.

Australian Aboriginal Artist dictionary of biographies Kreczmanski, Janusz B and Birnberg, Margo (eds.): Aboriginal Artists: Dictionary of Biographies: Central Desert, Western Desert and Kimberley Region JB Publishing Australia, Marleston, 2004.

Aboriginal Artists of the Western Desert - A Biographical Dictionary by Vivien Johnson, published by Craftsman House 1994

The Oxford Companion to Aboriginal Art and Culture edited by Sylvia Kleinert and Margo Neale published by OUP 2000

Aboriginal Artists: Dictionary of Biographies: Central Desert, Western Desert & Kimberley Region JB Publishing Australia, Marleston, 2004

Brody, A. 1989 Utopia women’s Paintings: the First Works on Canvas, A summer Project, 1988-89 exhib. Cat. Heytesbury Holdings, Perth Brody

A. 1990 Utopia, a picture Story, 88 Silk Batiks from the Robert Homes a Court Gallery and gallery Collection, Heytesbury Holdings LTD Perth NATSIVAD database, Latz, P. 1995, Bushfires & Bushtucker, IAD Press, Alice Springs

Brody, A. 1989 Utopia women’s Paintings: the First Works on Canvas, A summer Project 1988-89 exhib. Cat. Heytesbury Holdings, Perth Brody

Amadio, N. und Kimber, R., Wildbird Dreaming. Aboriginal Art from the Central Deserts of Australia, Greenhouse Publ., Melbourne 1988; Auckland City Art Gallery, Auckland 1990, Ausst. Kat.; Australian Aboriginal Art from the Collection of Donald Kahn. Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami (Hrsg.), 1991, Ausst. Kat.; Droombeelden - Tjukurrpa. Groninger Museum (Hrsg.), Groningen 1995, Ausst. Kat.; Isaacs, J., Australia´s Living Heritage. Arts of the Dreaming, Lansdowne Press, Sydney 1984; Isaacs, J., Australian Aboriginal Paintings. Lansdowne, Sydney 1989, ISBN 186302011X; Johnson, V., Aboriginal Artists of the Western Desert. A Biographical Dictionary, Craftsman House, East Roseville 1994, ISBN 9768097817; Modern Art - Ancient Icon. The Aboriginal Gallery of Dreamings (Hrsg.), o.O. 1992, ISBN 0646080520; Nangara. The Australian Aboriginal Art Exhibition from the Ebes Collection. The Aboriginal Gallery of Dreamings (Hrsg.), Melbourne 1996, Ausst. Kat.; Stourton, P. Corbally, Songlines and Dreamings. Lund Humphries Publ., London 1996, ISBN 0853316910; The Painted Dream. Contemporary Aboriginal Paintings. Johnson, V. (Hrsg.), Auckland City Art Gallery, Auckland 1991, Ausst. Kat.; Tjinytjilpa. The Dotted Design. Aboriginal Art Galleries of Australia (Hrsg.), Melbourne 1998, Ausst. Kat.; Traumzeit - Tjukurrpa. Kunst der Aborigines der Western Desert. Die Donald Kahn-Sammlung, Danzker, J.B. (Hrsg.), Prestel, München und New York 1994, Ausst. Kat.; Voices of the Earth. Paintings, Photography and Sculpture from Aboriginal Australia. Gabrielle Pizzi (Hrsg.), Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne 1996, Ausst. Kat., ISBN 0646288954.

 
 

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