Artist & Chairperson

At the age of 12 Judy Lirririnyin sat with her father, renowned artist Binyinyuwuy. She describes this as an important time in her life, “There was no playing near him. He was doing his painting to concentrate his mind. I was watching his hand moving down, going sideways – he was really tricky (clever). I was also watching my mother and grandmother doing weaving, making bathi (bags) and mat. So I learnt to sit quietly and to work carefully. Today I sit here with my painting, my gurruŋ (son-in-law) joins me, he sings the manikay (songs) for my painting. Sometimes we tell each other the story for that painting and we cry.” 

Lirririnyin beams with pride as she speaks of her father and her mission to honour him and to continue sharing his memory and strength with her grandchildren.

Lirririnyin began painting her clan designs in 2016 after being inspired by the retrospective exhibition Art from Milingimbi: taking memories back,at the Art Gallery New South Wales. In 1994 Lirririnyin began working as a health worker. Today alongside doing her art, she continues to work as part of the Strong Women’s Program at the Milingimbi clinic.

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