Jorna Newberry was a Pitjantjatjara woman, born on 3rd February 1959 on Angus Downs Station, 300 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs between Uluru-Kuta Tjuta and Kings Canyon. Jorna’s mother was Ruby Petermann, but she never knew her father. Tommy Watson, who would live to a good age, treated her as his daughter and for the last ten years of his long life, Jorna Newberry and her immediate family took very good care of him at their Alice Springs home. It was under Watson’s guidance that Jorna became an artist developing her distinctive intricate dotting style, ensuring any sacred cultural knowledge remained encoded within her paintings.

Her early years growing up were spent learning the ways of traditional bush living, hunting and gathering in the spinifex country. Her Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) remained deep and strong, and so was her commitment to Country.

In 1982, Tommy and Ruby Watson, Jorna and her husband, Bernard Newberry, and three hundred others travelled from the central desert in a convoy of 19 buses, trucks and four-wheel drives for a Ngaanyatjarra Land Rights meeting held at the Claremont Show grounds in Perth. She said: “It was very important to show strength in numbers”.

She initially started to paint in the mid 1990s at Warakurna, and her paintings referred to the country of Irrunytju in the Western Desert. They are associated with significant traditional places of spiritual knowledge and ancestral stories, which are embedded in the land. Her remarkable topographical depictions of her country, and in particular her perentie (Ngintaka) narrative, educated collectors of Aboriginal mythology through her art. Each work created was exceptional for its compositional mark-making, and provided an idiosyncratic window into a moment of remarkable creative ferment.

She was a fiercely independent and an extremely gifted artist, humble, quiet, almost shy—but was a strong woman who always gave more than what was expected. Her generosity was well known. She spent much time and effort looking after others; mentoring, encouraging and supporting.

Jorna Newberry was a remarkable woman, respected cultural leader and a matriarchal figure, offering much support to her six children and extended family, her friends and the community at large. She lived a frugal and simple life, was multilingual, and when needed, was a translator for Government departments.

We are all very fortunate to have known her, travelled with her, and observed her painting in her studio. Her legacy will endure through her powerful works of art, she was loved by many and we will miss her infectious laughter.

Dr. Ken McGregor
May, 2025