Audrey Brumby

Audrey Brumby is a Pitjantjatjara artist born 1967 in Pukatja, formerly Ernabella. Her father recalls seeing Europeans for the first time there in the 1930s. Audrey grew up living a traditional way, going out hunting for bush tuckers like goanna (tingka), honey ants, (tjala) and witchetty grubs (maku). 

Audrey learned to paint with her mother when she was 13 years old. She remembers learning the batik techniques in the 1980s as part of a cultural exchange. Audrey lives in Adelaide now with her daughter and continues to develop her painting style. She regularly travels to her community to reconnect with her wider community. A prolific artist, she paints several themes around bush medicine leaves, waterholes and meeting places and women’s ceremonial body paint designs.

As well as being a talented artist, Audrey is an accomplished translator, having worked with the South Australian Government as an interpreter for her people and has translated a series of children’s books. She has also worked as a teacher in her community. Audrey’s paintings have been displayed widely throughout prominent SA buildings. Audrey also sings with other women in her community. They perform regularly at cultural events and festivals.