A Magnificent Family Collaboration by mother Elaine and two of her daughters – Janice and Venita
Elaine Woods was born in the bush at a waterhole close to the community of Docker River, NT in 1969 and grew up at the remote community of Irrunytju on the border of Western Australia and Northern Territory. She later moved to Kalgoorlie and then Esperance.
While Elanie was busy bringing up her 4 daughters (Julie, Janice, Venita and Casseyanne) she witnessed the strengthening of the art movement in the APY lands. In the early 2000’s, Elaine’s mother, Maringka Baker, picked up a paint brush for the first time and went on to become one of Australia’s most successful Indigenous artists. Elaine’s uncle was the great Jimmy Baker (c. 1915 – 2010), who was one of the most senior and highly respected men and artists in the APY lands. Both Maringka and Jimmy were the feature artists at the Australian National Gallery’s Culture Warriors Triennial.
Elaine started her artistic career in 2010 and hasn’t looked back. She has a deep connection to country which is expressed with beauty in her paintings.