Cockatoos

Judith Pungkarta Inkamala

1948

Western Arrernte (Aranda)

Ntaria (Hermannsburg), West of Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Acrylic on Canvas and Linen, Ceramics and Pottery

Country, Bird, Imuna (Bush Food), Cockatoos, Ducks, Untitled, Palm Valley, Budgerigars

Judith was born in Hermannsburg to Riedle Topoura, a Luritja man from the Mt Heughlin region, and Veronica Arapinya, a Southern Aranda woman from Henbury. In her early years, she was friends with Jillian Namatjira and recalls watching Albert Namatjira as he painted his watercolours.

After completing her schooling at the Lutheran Mission, Judith worked as a cleaner and learned typing from Mrs. Arnold. She later married Graham Kremer Inkamala, and together they had eight children.

Judith joined the Hermannsburg Potters in 1993, gradually mastering the techniques of hand-building pots and illustrating animals. In 1995, she began creating landscapes, developing a distinctive painterly style that echoed the effect of painting on canvas.

Judith served as Chair and is a senior member of the Hermannsburg Potters Aboriginal Corporation. She was also a former member of the renowned Hermannsburg Choir. Judith is an inspiring and respected leader in her community of Ntaria (Hermannsburg), known for her dedication to passing on cultural and ceramic knowledge across generations.