Pukarlyi Milly Kelly
Born about 1935
Putijarra language group, Karimarra skin group
Jigalong community
Martumili Artists
Milly was born at Jilakurru (Well 17). Her father’s Country spanned from Jilakurru to Puntawarri, and Milly walked this country as a child. Eventually her mother brought her in to the ration station, at old Jigalong on the Rabbit Proof Fence, looking for their extended family. Milly met her husband, Pompey Charlie, at Jigalong and they worked on stations together for many years.
2007, by Milly Kelly and Hayley Atkins
acrylic on linen, 123×80 cm
Martumili Artists
National Museum of Australia
Puntawarri. My home. I was walking around little naked one!
Pukarlyi Milly Kelly, Jigalong, 2009
Puntawarri is the Country where Pukarlyi grew up as a young girl. This painting is a collaborative work by Pukarlyi and her granddaughter, Hayley Atkins, one of the curators of this exhibition.
Old people don’t talk too much. I didn’t know my family were bush people till I did that painting with Milly. Now I want to know everything.
Hayley Atkins, Billilluna, 2009
