Karen Napaljarri Barnes

Karen Napaljarri Barnes is a Warlpiri artist born in 1992 in Lajamanu, Northern Territory. Now based in Yuendumu, she began painting with Warlukurlangu Artists in 2011, following in the footsteps of her grandmother, acclaimed artist Judy Napangardi Watson. Her vibrant, distinctive style blends traditional Warlpiri Dreaming stories with bold colour and contemporary expression. Karen’s work often features native birds, animals, and landscapes, infused with a sense of movement and personality that reflects her deep connection to Country and culture. Her Dreaming stories include Mina Mina Jukurrpa (Women’s Dreaming) and Ngatijirri Jukurrpa (Budgerigar Dreaming), among others. Karen’s paintings have been exhibited nationally and internationally, including solo exhibitions at Kate Owen Gallery in Sydney, and her work is held in numerous private and public collections. With a playful and dynamic approach, Barnes is considered one of the exciting young voices in contemporary Aboriginal art, celebrated for her originality and cultural storytelling.

When I was a young girl, I watched my granny paint Mina Mina, our special Country. She used bright colours—yellow, green, pink—and sang the Mina Mina song while clapping her hands. She was a respected artist, flown to Country by helicopter, always speaking for the land and lighting fires. I travelled with her, hunting goanna, gathering bush tucker, and watching kangaroos, camels, and donkeys. Her favourite dog sat behind her in the car; I liked to sit close too.

She told me, you have to paint—Mina Mina, Women’s Dreaming, Water Dreaming. Start with circles, lines, and animal tracks.” I listened. I began painting like her—lots of budgerigar tracks, criss-crossing. Now I paint colourful birds—green budgies, cockatoos, bush turkeys—and cheeky dogs too. The birds are my friends. They talk to me.