15/06/2026
Lily Jatarr Long is a Warnman woman and custodian of the Karlamilyi (Rudall River) region. She was born in the late 1930’s at Jatarrngara, a water source located along the Karlamilyi River, and the site from which her name is derived.
Jatarr grew up with her family in the area surrounding Tiwa (Canning Stock Route Well 26), a water source located east of Parnngurr Aboriginal Community and just west of a culturally significant group of hills called Partujarrapirri. Her family returned to the Karlamily region moving between camps located all along the Karlamily River and up to the large salt lake, Nyayartakujarra (Lake Dora).
In the late 1940’s her family travelled on foot for more than 200 kilometres to Jigalong Mission, where a supply of rationed food and water was assured. There they were reunited with family members that had already moved in from the desert.
At Jigalong, Jatarr lived in a dormitory with her two sisters and went to school. Later, she worked as a cook on various pastoral stations in the Pilbara and mined minerals with a yandy (dish used for winnowing seed).
Jatarr primarily depicts her ngurra (home Country, camp) in Karlamilyi; its animals, plants, waterholes and associated Jukurrpa (Dreaming) stories. Jatarr uses her artwork as a means of transferring cultural knowledge to her children and grandchildren, and as a political platform, protecting her Country from mining and other disruptions.
We are so thrilled to see this exceptional depiction of Karlamilyi Capella Sydney curated by Samreen| Custom illustrations, wedding invites. Make sure you say hi to this wonderful work when you visit!
