Daisy Andrews

Munmarria Daisy Andrews, known professionally as Daisy Andrews, (c. 1934 or 1935 – January 2015) was an Australian artist originally from the Walmajarri desert tribe. After taking up artwork later in life – initially illustrating the personal stories of fellow community members – Andrews began exhibiting her paintings in group and solo showings across Australia. She was known for her vividly red landscapes showcasing the mountain ranges of the Great Sandy Desert. In 1994, she received the main Telstra award from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) for her painting Lumpa Lumpa (wet time) landscape.

Andrews' work is held in collections owned by the Australian National Gallery, the Museum and Gallery of Northern Territory, the Queensland Art Gallery, the Berndt Museum of Anthropology, the North Australian Research Unit, and the Karrayili Adult Education Centre. A tapestry version of one of her paintings hangs in the Australian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan.

Early life

Munmarria Daisy Andrews was born circa 1934 Her parents, Jack Pinden and Ruby Jarlkurr, belonged to the indigenous Walmajarri desert tribe, and when their daughter was born they were in the process of moving north out of the desert, compelled by a combination of drought, conflict between tribes, and the encroachment of water resources by white settlers. and a sister. In 1996, Andrews painted a 12-metre Great Sandy backdrop for a production of Alcina by the West Australian Opera.