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Rene Kulitja

Born: 1958. Pukatja (Ernabella) SA

Language: Pitjantjatjara

Art Centre: Maruku, Mutitjulu, NT

Rene was born in 1958, in Ernabella, South Australia. Her family are Pitjantjatjara and her Pitjantjatjara name is Wanuny. Rene grew up in the north of South Australia attending school at Amata before marrying and moving to her husband’s country of Docker River. Later in Mutitjulu, she became committed to art, inspired by her parents Walter Pukutiwara, and Topsy Tjulyata, acclaimed wood carvers and founders of Maruku Arts. Rene has worked in fabric, glass, ceramics and grass weaving. Her painting of Uluru proudly adorned a Qantas jet and as a Tjanpi Desert Weavers she represented Australia in the 2015 Venice Biennale. Also a member of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Board of Joint Management, director for the NPY Women’s Council, Mutitjulu Community Aboriginal Corporation and Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir. Rene was also a founding director of Walkatjara Art and a current Director and previous chair of Maruku. When not creating art, Rene now spends much of her time travelling far and wide as both artist and advocate for her people.