Penny Napaljarri Kelly

Penny Kelly was born in Rockhampton Downs in the flat country on the East of Tennant Creek and her homeland is located next to Mangalawarru station. She has been a painter for many years, she first began painting at Anyinginyi through the Arts and Craft group before joining Pink Palace. She also received training from Batchelor Institute, to sew bags, to make jeweller from seeds and sculpture with grass.

Most of Penny’s stories come from the old people. Her father gives her the ownership for his section of Ngapa dreaming. She paints many stories about bush tuckers. flowers, landscape, bush meat,  on traditional object, Ngapa and two snakes.

For her painting is “bangakoro (right)”, “I feel good/strong”I am telling him, Jangala (her grandson) in language, in English.

She is a fervent Christian, regularly attending office, bible studies at AIM church and she spends her time taking care of her grandson, Jangala, taking him to school.