Susie Lane

Susie was born in 1965 in Papunya. She is the daughter of Maudie Jugadai and Phillip Lane and the granddaughter (on her mother’s side) of Timothy (Timmy) Jugadai Tjungurrayi (1920-1988) and his first wife, Bessie Inkamala. Her grandfather Timmy was born in 1920 in the dry Alalbi creek bed near Haasts Bluff, Northern Territory. Timmy’s father was a Ngalia (southern Warlpiri) man and his mother, a Luritja woman. Timmy and his second wife Narputta Nangala Jugadai were the founding members of Ikuntji Artists. Timmy, who had been painting since the 1970s, inspired his wives and children to paint. Leading onto a tradition of painting story and country that continues today.

Phillip Lane, Susie’s  father, was born at Phillip Creek mission, 50 kms north of Tennant Creek. His father was a Warlpiri man from Warumungu country, Tennant Creek region. Phillip came to Haasts Bluff when he was 19. It was there that he met his wife, Maudie Jugadai, a Lurita/Arrernte woman from Haasts Bluff.  They had five children, Susie, Joseph, Doreen, Isabel and Serita. All of their children were born at Papunya.

Susie was married to Roy Larry, who passed away in 2010. Roy Wara Larry was an important law man, working with local Aboriginal people and non-Indigenous people. Together they had three children and seven grandchildren. Their first daughter, Roseranna, was born in 1980 in Papunya. Atter, heir second daughter, Patrina, was born in 1983, the family moved to Haasts Bluff.

Susie paints the waterlily Dreaming that was passed down to her from her father, Phillip. In her integrally beautiful works, Susie experiments with delicate brush strokes and pastel and bright colours to depict seeds blowing in the wind. Susie works at the aged care centre. After she has attended to the needs of the older artists she finds time to work on her own canvas. Susie’s daughter, Roseranna Larry, Is one of Ikuntji’s younger emerging artists.