Nancy Karnu Taylor

Date of birth: 1941
Language: Warnman
Skin: Jangala
Place of birth: Karlamilyi

Nancy Taylor is a Warnman woman from Karlamilyi and a sister of Minyawe Miller, who also paints with Martumili. She travelled extensively as a young woman, losing close family members at Kurrka, Nullagine and Wirtilwirtil (near Woody Woody gold mine).

Nancy paints the country around Karlamilyi, including Japarli, Yaralalyu, Jinturinypalangu and Jutupa. Many of her family members are also dedicated artists.Nancy is also part of the Parnngurr Women’s Ranger team.

“Jantintin [is] ngayu mili (my) country. I been grow up there from the little kid. Ngayu mili nyamu (grandfather’s) country and ngayu mili nana (grandmother’s) country. Same like that for Wokka [Taylor, Karnu’s nyupa (husband)], he been there from little kid too. [We had been living in Jantintin country for a time with Wokka’s family] when we walk[ed] right up to Jigalong. We had already met up with [sisters]Mulyatingki, Nyanjilpayi and May Wokka, their two little brothers and their mummy. We been come through Yandicoogee, Stock River. Nobody been pick us up. We been walking; me and my brother Minyawe. My mummy and daddy were gone then. We been passing through Oakover River when white fellas, women and man picked us up in a cattle truck, Christian mob. That white fella, he from Kimberley. He been give us flour, he been cook plenty flour for us. We been tell him no good! We were bushmen people you know? Can’t have it [processed flour]! They drove us all the way to Balfour Downs, where we stayed for one night. From Balfour Downs we got picked up in the Jigalong truck. When we got there to Jigalong I saw Wokka again. [He was] still young fella. That’s when he became my nyupa. He’s been my nyupa since then, only one, good fella. We started working, mustering work. Together we went to Roy Hill Station. We worked there a long time together, but we finished when all the sheep died. No water. We went back home to Nullagine. Then we went to Maralinga Station, we worked there too. Wokka been ride a horse, stockman Wokka. I been do the cleaning up in house and mustering up the sheep. We worked for many years on stations, too much time! [Eventually] we went to Strelley, everybody had their family there. We were there with Don Mcleod mob. I been stay there long time. We came down to Parnngurr after, staying in Parnngurr one way.”

Artworks

Warta - 2013
Nancy Karnu Taylor
  • $2,950.00