Linda Puna

Biography of Linda Puna

Linda Puna, an esteemed Yankunytjatjara artist, resides in the remote community of Mimili on the APY Lands. Her upbringing was rooted in her ancestral homeland near Park Well, where she spent her formative years. Growing up in a household shared with cousins, sisters, and parents, Linda was immersed in a milieu of skilled artisans and adept storytellers. She gleaned inspiration for her paintings from the rich oral traditions of her family, often observing the intricate craftsmanship of punu (wooden sculptures) being carved by the women in her community.

In 2006, Linda co-founded Mimili Maku Arts, marking the beginning of her journey to translate these ancestral stories onto canvas.

Linda Puna's Art Style

In her paintings, Linda Puna frequently intertwines Tjukurpa narratives with figurative representations of daily life within the community. As the first Anangu woman to reside in a remote area while relying on an electric wheelchair, she offers a distinctive perspective through her artwork—a perspective characterized by resilience, strength, and a zest for life.

Puna's artistic creations often feature elements inspired by the rocky desert landscape surrounding Mimili, paying homage to the Maku (witchetty grub) Tjukurpa. Additionally, her paintings skillfully blend these traditional songlines with depictions of commonplace objects such as Toyota 4WD vehicles, houses, cardboard boxes, windmills, and water tanks, capturing the essence of everyday existence in the outback.