MARINGKA IS A SENIOR PITJANTJATJARA WOMAN LIVING IN THE REMOTE COMMUNITY SETTLEMENT OF KANPI, 100KMS EAST OF THE TRI-STATE BORDERS OF WA, SA, AND THE NT. MARINGKA WAS BORN C1952 AT KALIUMPIL ROCK HOLE, A TRADITIONAL CAMP SITE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

Maringka’s parents died when she was young and she was raised by the late artist and founder of Irrunytju Arts, Anmanari Brown, and other members of her extended family. Maringka attended the mission schools of Warburton in WA and Ernabella in SA.

Maringka married a man from Papulankatja with whom she had two children. Their younger daughter passed away in childhood. Elaine Woods, their elder daughter, married a Docker River man and they had four daughters, Julie Woods, Janice Woods, Venita Woods and Casseyanne Woods, all of who continue the painting tradition. Maringka has three great grandchildren.

Maringka remarried Douglas Baker (the late great Jimmy Baker’s cousin) later in life and settled in her husband’s community of Kanpi. Maringka has a deep connection to country and a spiritual connection with the land. These powerful links to the desert are expressed with beauty and integrity in her paintings, many of which depict aspects of the Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa (the Two Sisters creation story).

Maringka was selected to participate in the first National Indigenous Art Triennial – Culture Warriors at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. She has since exhibited widely both nationally and internationally. In 2018 Maringka received the Members Choice Award at the Athenaeum Club 150 Art Award in Melbourne. Her paintings are held in the collections of National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, and the Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra amongst others.