Topsy Peterson Napangardi

Born:  c. 1955

Language:  Luritja / Warlpiri

Country:  Mt Leibig

Topsy Peterson Napangardi, a Luritja / Warlpiri speaker, was born around 1955 at Brown’s Bore outstation west of Alice Springs. She has two sisters, Denise Reid Napangardi and the celebrated artist, Lily Kelly Napangardi. The family were relocated to Haasts Bluff where she grew up.

She met her husband, Leo Peterson Tjampitjinpa, in Papunya and they moved to Mt Liebig (Watiyawanu). They had three children, Caroll born in 1970, Christine in 1973 and Neil in 1975.

Growing up Topsy Peterson Napangardi was taught some of the stories of her family’s dreamings by her mother, Easia Naparulla. It was after her mother’s death in 1983 Topsy’s older sister, Lily Kelly Napangardi, revealed more family stories including ‘Sand Hills’ (Tali) passed down from their father. To maintain their culture Topsy continues to pass down the dreaming stories to her children and grandchildren. 

Topsy paintings depict the sand hills (Tali) of her country. Topsy uses fine dotting with several colours that show continuousness and balance which give the impression of the vegetation of the Sand Hills (Tali).

Topsy’s daughter, Christine, has followed her mother in painting the Sand Hills of her country.

Topsy lives with her family in Mt Liebig (Watiyawanu) and Alice Springs and has participated in several group exhibitions including one to Japan in 2005.