Skin: Pula

Language Group: Alyawarr

Region: MacDonald Downs, Northern Territory

Dreaming: My Country, My Place

Natalie Pula Holmes has been painting for Eastern Desert Art for the last seven years. Natalie spent her childhood in Tennant Creek with her mother, the artist Marilyn Brown. Once her mother discovered how fascinated Natalie was with her paints and different colours she encouraged her to paint. In her teens, Natalie met her husband, Neville, the son of Dudley Petrick, the Traditional Owner of this area and moved to Irriliree on MacDonald Downs, 285kms NE of Alice Springs. She and Neville now have five children – Leslie, Brennan, Dakota, Tyson and Jed. Leslie makes intricate bush toys from recycled materials at his camp.

Natalie Pula Holmes’ work is shaped by the nature and landscape of her country here in Central Australia. The shimmering multi-coloured desert landscape and birdlife is her primary source of inspiration. Her paintings are representations of land and home. She applies exuberant bursts of colour on a dark background and veils them in a lace of white.

• 2010: The Utopia Story, Australasian Arts Projects, Singapore

• 2010: Western and Eastern Desert Art, Blaxlands Inn, Hunter Valley, NSW

• 2010: Aboriginal Artists UK Spring Show 11-13 June, London

• 2011: Utopian Aboriginal Art, Without Pier Gallery, Melbourne

• 2012: Belongings, Australasian Arts Projects, Singapore

• 2013: Brush with Art Festival, Prairie Hotel, Parachilna, South Australia

• 2013: Landscape of our Dreaming, Red Poles gallery, McLaren Vale, SA

• 2014: Aboriginal Artists in London, London, UK

• 2014: Aboriginal Art – Group Show, Without Pier, Melbourne, Victoria