Sandra Pumani Antaṟa maku

Sandra Pumani has painted Mimili, a small community in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands of South Australia. Mimili was formerly known as Everard Park, which was a cattle station that was returned to Aboriginal ownership in 1981. Pumani grew up here; however, she currently lives and works in Tarntanya/Adelaide.

Pumani comes from a respected family of successful Mimili artists, including her mother Ngupulya Pumani and grandmother Milatjari Pumani. ‘Songline stories are all around. It’s what my mum and grandma … everyone is painting,’ says Pumani, a first-time Wynne finalist.

Pumani has held leadership positions in the Mimili community since 2004 and is a strong advocate for championing education initiatives for young Aṉangu. ‘I was taught so much with these storylines,’ she says. ‘It is important for us to teach the kids our storylines and my paintings are used to teach.’