Fabian Japanangka Polly

Fabian Japanangka Polly was born in 1974 in Derby, one of the closest hospitals to Balgo (Wirrimanu), a remote Aboriginal community located on the western edge of the Tanami Desert in Western Australia. Fabian is a Warlpiri, Martu, Kukatja and Walmajarri man.

Fabian finished school in Balgo and has three children. As a young man he listened more to his Grandmother’s stories, and started painting with Warlayirti Artists in Balgo. In 2024 he met his partner Vanessa Brown in Broome and moved with her to Nyirrpi, a remote Aboriginal community 160km west of Yuendumu in the Northern Territory.

Fabian has been painting with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre located in Yuendumu, since 2026. Warlukurlangu Artists provides an outlet for Warlpiri artists to paint their cultural heritage and earn income from their work. This service is extended to Nyirripi artists, on a weekly basis, by delivering canvas and paint to artists and picking up finished artwork in Nyirripi.

Fabian paints his grandmother’s Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming) of Jurnu, a soakage site only he and his family are permitted to drink from, from his Grandmother’s country along the modern-day Canning Stock Route.

Fabian enjoys using bright colours to paint the lands and stories of his country. When he is not painting he likes to listen to music and go hunting.