Milpati was born in Yalata SA in 1962. Her father who’s country is Kunumata near Nyapari community had travelled south to Yalata where he met Milpati’s mother a woman from Tjuntjuntjara. As a young girl Milpati moved to Indulkana with her father and later went to Yirara College in Alice Springs to finish her schooling. Milpati married Anton Baker (Jimmy Bakers son) shortly after and moved to Fregon where she helped to set up the Fregon craft room. In the early eighties she moved with her family to Kanpi Community, her husband’s and father’s country.
Located about 100kms south of Uluru, Nyapari is set at the base of the majestic Mann Ranges in the heart of country traditionally owned by the Pitjatjatjara people. These ranges known to Anangu as Murputja, likening the mountain to a bony ridge of a person’s spine, are the source of many waterholes and traditional camping places. The homelands of Kanpi, Nyapari, Angatja, Umpukulu and Tjankanu have grown from these seasonal camping places into permanent settlements. Over fifty artists from Murputja joined together with family members living in traditional country 180kms to the south at Watarru and created Tjungu Palya (Good Together).
Tjungu Palya is 100% owned and maanged by Aboriginal people, ensuring the wealth of talent and economic returns are retained int he community. Tjungu Palya promotes cultural integrity and the ethical sales of authentic art.
Group Exhibitions
2011 ‘Tjungu Palya 2011’, Short St Gallery, Broome. WA
2010 ‘Inma Mantangka Ngarinyi – Song of the Land’ Putipula Gallery, Noosa QLD
2010 ‘Tjukurpa’ Outstation Gallery, Darwin, NT
2010 ‘Partnerships’ Marshall Arts ,Adelaide SA
2008 ‘Our Mob’ Festival Theatre Centre, Adelaide, SA
2007 ‘Skin to Skin’ Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Canberra ACT
2007 ‘Walytja’ Baker Family Exhibition, Marshall Arts, Adelaide, SA
Collections
Artbank, Australian National COntemporary Art Rental
Bibliographies
2010 James, DIann. ‘Colour comes up from the ground’ Outstation catalogue, Darwin 2010.