Born circa (1925-2016) at Yarungkanji, Mt Doreen Station, West of Yuendumu, Northern Territory. A senior Warlpiri female painter, Judy is well known for her distinctive style which she developed with her sister Maggie Watson.

These two women lived for long periods at Mina Mina and Yingipurlangu, their ancestral country located on the border of the Tanami and Gibson Deserts.

The combination of vivid colour, highly detailed works and high-level composition has led to widespread appreciation in the art world. Judy is now considered one of the most accomplished female Indigenous artists.

At the forefront of a move towards more abstract rendering of Tjukurrpa by Warlpiri artists, Judy however retains strong ‘kurruwarri’ in her work, the details which tell of the sacredness of place and song in her culture.

Judy’s tjukurrpa (dreamings) are Ngarlyipi (Snake Vine), Karnta (Woman), Mina Mina, and Kanakurlangu. Judy Napangardi Watson’s work has been shown in numerous exhibitions throughout Australia and abroad and is included in major collections including the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra; National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne; Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney; Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin; South Australian Museum, Adelaide.

She is also represented at the Aboriginal Art Museum, Utrecht, in significant University museums and galleries and in major private collections.