Women’s Body Painting

Debra Nangala McDonald

Debra Nangala McDonald was born at Warumpi (Papunya), a small community some 240km west of Mparntwe (Alice Springs). Debra’s maternal grandfather is Shorty Lungkata Tjungurayyi (c.1920–1987), an esteemed artist and one of the founding members of Papunya Tula Artists.

Debra was married to the son of artist Mitjili Naparrula (c.1945–2019), who was also the nephew of another one of the Papunya Tula greats, Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula (c.1942–2001).

Debra depicts aspects of women’s business, including the rituals of ceremony and the designs traditionally painted on women’s bodies. Ochre pigments of different hues, or white ash leftover from fires, were collected and mixed with animal fats to create a paint-like paste.

These designs are applied to women’s chests and breasts for ceremony. This is a sacred and meditative experience, where women sit and sing songs together while painting each other’s bodies.

The stripes of colour towards the centre of the painting represent the different pigments of ochre. In the circular forms moving out from the centre, Debra paints oval forms that indicate the grinding stones used to grind the ochres for body painting.

The plant motif and clusters of concentric circles represent the stems, leaves and sweet fruit of blackberries, a beloved bush tucker gathered by women to eat.

At either end of the painting are concentric squares, where Debra has incorporated a traditional Western Desert design used to represent the Tingari Dreaming Cycle.

Luritja and Pintupi people believe the Tingari ancestors created the features of the land as they travelled across the desert landscape, including hills, flora and fauna. They also laid down the law by which Luritja and Pintupi people live.

Debra’s Women’s Body Paint Design paintings reflect her deep cultural knowledge. The number of Dreamings Debra has permission to paint is testimony to her senior standing within her community.

Debra’s artworks have been widely exhibited within Australia and overseas. She is also proud that Eddie Betts, the legendary AFL player, is her friend and collector.