Yaritji Young is a senior Pitjantjatjara artist and law woman from Pukatja (Ernabella) in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. She now lives at Rocket Bore, a homeland north of Amata, where she continues to maintain a strong connection to Country, culture and ceremony. Her artistic practice is deeply connected to the responsibility of preserving and sharing cultural knowledge, with many of her paintings depicting the Tjala (Honey Ant) Dreaming.
Yaritji was born in the bush near a creek at Pukatja to parents Mick Wikilyire and Paniny Mick. She attended school in Amata, where she first learned traditional basket weaving, an early creative practice that helped shape her relationship with making and storytelling.
Alongside her individual practice, Yaritji is part of the acclaimed Ken Sisters Collaborative with her sisters Freda Brady, Maringka Tunkin, Sandra Ken and Tjungkara Ken. Together, the sisters create large-scale collaborative paintings that explore shared ancestral stories and their connection to Country. Their collective work has received international recognition and major awards, including the prestigious Wynne Prize in 2016 for their celebrated painting Seven Sisters.
The Seven Sisters story is a significant Tjukurpa (Dreaming) narrative describing the Pleiades constellation and the sisters’ journey as they escape the pursuit of an ancestral figure represented by Orion. The sisters’ painting captures this ancient story of survival, connection and the enduring strength of women’s cultural knowledge.
As an individual artist, Yaritji has developed a highly respected career, presenting her first solo exhibition, Yaritji Young: Walytjapitiku Laina – Family Lines, at Alcaston Gallery in Melbourne in 2017, followed by further solo exhibitions. Her work is held in major collections including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Art Gallery of South Australia and the Queensland Art Gallery.
Through her vibrant paintings, Yaritji Young continues to celebrate the landscapes, stories and spiritual traditions of her people, ensuring that the knowledge of Country is carried forward for future generations.
