Biography

Joy Nangala Brown was born in Alice Springs Hospital on the 4th of July, 1966. She spent most of her childhood at Yuendumu, although did several years of schooling in Alice Springs at Yirara College. Joy moved to Nyirrpi in the early 1980’s, and has lived there ever since, although she travels back and forth to Yuendumu to visit family. Joy is the daughter of the successful Pintupi artist Pegleg Jampijinpa, and grew up with his art work around her. She is married to Jay Jay Spencer, the adopted son of another highly successful artist from Yuendumu, Paddy Japaljarri Stewart. They have two children, a daughter and son and grandchildren. Her daughter Debbie Napaljarri Brown also paints with Warlukurlangu Artists. Joy has been painting with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre located in Yuendumu, since 2006. Joy paints her Father’s and Grandfather’s Lappi Lappi Jukurrpa stories. They relate directly to the land and its features, and the plants and animals that live on it. Joy enjoys hunting for goannas and bush tucker, playing cards and singing in the church choir in her spare time.