Biography

Steven Jakamarra Oldfield was born in 1974 in Alice Springs, where his parents were living at the time. Shortly after he was born, his family moved to Yuendumu, a remote Aboriginal community, 290 km north-west of Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory of Australia. He completed his schooling at the local school, then travelled between communities, learning about his country. He has one sister, Patricia Nakamarra Oldfield, who paints for Warlukurlangu Art Centre.                                                                      

In 2016 Steven began painting with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre located in Yuendumu. His Dad, Big Dave Jupurrla Oldfield (1944-1996) also painted with Warlukurlangu, his work first appearing in 1986. Steven paints stories that are closely associated with his traditional country, in particular, his father’s Warna Jukurrpa (Snake Dreaming), stories that have been passed down to him from his father and his father’s father for millennia.

Steven is married and lives in Yuendumu. When he is not painting he enjoys going out hunting with family and friends.