Bonita Nungurrayi Williams / Women Digging for Goanna and Honey Ants (BW02)

Bonita Nungurrayi Williams is an Anmatyerre woman, born in Alice Springs in 1971. She spent much of her earlier life in Central Australia. Her mother, who is also an artist, is from Ti Tree, and Bonita learned to paint from her. Her totems include the goanna and snake, subjects that feature prominently throughout her work.

Bonita now lives in Kununurra in the East Kimberley with her husband, Warren Gerrard, a Miriuwung and Gajerrong man and fellow artist. Together they have four children.

Working in acrylic on canvas, Bonita creates vibrant depictions of animals and bush tucker, particularly goannas and snakes, together with witchetty grubs, honey ants, berries and other foods gathered from Country.

Her paintings are characterised by strong earthy colours, bold outlines and finely painted detail. Her distinctive animal figures are often surrounded by tracks, bush foods and other elements of the landscape, creating lively compositions filled with movement and connection to Country.