LORNA NAPURRULA FENCER
Lorna Napurrula Fencer
c1924 - 2006
Lorna Napurrula Fencer passed away Wednesday December 6, 2006 in Katherine from complications arising from a stroke earlier in the evening.
Lorna Napurrula Fencer was the uber Warlpiri warrior woman. Her fortitude and zest for life will continue to be mirrored in her paintings that were created over the past twenty years.
Lorna Napurrula Fencer experienced tough times, maintaining her painting practice whilst living through personal tragedy and harsh conditions in Katherine and her country, Lajamanu in the late 1990's. In spite of these difficulties, she still managed to captivate collectors and museums and was the recipient of two significant art awards; the John McCaughey Memorial Art Prize at the National Gallery of Victoria in 1997 and the Conrad Jupiter Casino Art Award in the same year. She resurfaced as an artistic force about five years ago after an interval of minor painting production. Her paintings have been acquired by many state galleries, with a recent major acquisition currently on display at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.
Those who knew her were astonished by her mental toughness and agility. Many will find it hard to believe she is gone, somehow believing she was indestructible.
Lorna Napurrula Fencer was a dynamic artistic force who left a generous legacy in her art and she will be greatly missed.