Leonie is an established artist and also one of our essential arts workers at the Kaltukatjara (Docker River) studio.
Leonie paints important tjukurrpa (dreaming stories) from around the Docker River area, primarily stories relating to the Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters) saga which is known widely across the Australian continent.
Leonie's works are like constellations, the vast fields of her canvases patterned with undulating fields of coloured dots applied using purnu (wooden sticks). Her canvases evoke comparisons to topographical maps of country, giving the impression of an aerial view of the desert landscape.
Leonie comes from a large family of renowned painters, including the late Mrs T James who passed away in 2022. Leonie only began painting with Kaltukatjara in 2018, however since this time her skills have developed greatly, and the finesse with which she executes her canvases is now attracting attention.