Anne Nginyangka Thompson
Ceramic Artist,
Birth Place: Alice Springs. Language: Pitjantjatjara
Community: Pukatja, APY Lands
Mother’s Country: Near Kanpi Community, APY Lands
Father’s Country: Attila (Mt Connor)
Dreaming: Goanna
Anne grew up at Black Hill #2, her family’s homeland. Anne’s father was an integral part of the APY Land Rights movement, and her mother Carlene Thompson, is a senior Ernabella artist. Anne attended Kenmore Park Anangu School and boarded at Woodville High School. On completing school, Anne worked for PY Media, recording, editing and broadcasting, and on coverage for arts
projects such as Seven Sister’s Songlines performance in Canberra in 2013.
Anne began making ceramics in high school and then started working in the Ernabella Arts ceramic studio in between media projects. Anne is a qualified interpreter as well as an artist, and like her father, she is also a talented speaker. Anne delivered an address at the Australian Ceramics Triennale conference in July 2015 in Canberra on the role of young people at Ernabella Arts and the importance of art centres in remote communities. Anne is
also a talented jeweller. She has worked with contemporary resin jeweller Kate Rhode, developing her skills and techniques.
In 2014 and 2022 Anne was the winner of the Shepparton Art Museum’s prestigious Indigenous Ceramic Art Award and her works were acquired for their collection.
Anne is the winner of the 2023 Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award, Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, an outstanding achievement for this exciting artist.
In 2023 Anne is the Chair of the Ernabella Arts Board. She continues to make ceramic work and to be a strong voice and advocate for the APY community.
Life out bush gave me peace, understanding and self-confidence. Growing up with it gave me connections to everything. I observe things. I feel the wind breeze through my ears and see trees moving as the wind rushes through it secretly.
I love my home. Home is safe, home brings life together as families. We share and connect with families like the environment and nature connects with the land.
Anne Nginyangka Thompson, 2024
