Date of Birth: 
01.01.52
Language: 
Walmajarri
Country: 
Noonkanbah

Sonia Kurarra grew up in the river country at Yungngora (Noonkanbah). She used to help the kindergarten teacher with teaching art. They used to take the children out to the Sandy Billabong and teach them how to paint and dance and learn about the ngarrangkarni [Dreamtime] snake that lives in the billabong. His name is Nangurra.
 
Sonia paints the sandy billabong country along the stretch of the Fitzroy River that runs directly behind the community. After the floodwaters recede, there are billabongs that hold a plentiful supply of parlka [barramundi], kurlumajarti [catfish] and bream. She paints gapi [fish], parrmarr [rocks] where the fish is cooked, ngurti [coolamon] and a karli [boomerang].
 
Sonia began painting at Mangkaja Arts in the early 1990s working mostly on paper. Since 2008, Sonia has been working predominantly on canvas, exhibiting in numerous group shows. Sonia had an overwhelming response to her first solo show in 2009 and has since established herself as one of Mangkaja Arts leading contemporary artists.
 
Links
http://www.aboriginalartnews.com.au/2009/03/sonia-kurarra-goes-solo.php
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/full-coverage/chogm-2011/a/-/article/7712506/kimberley-women-big-winners/

Painting Themes: 
Fitzroy River and billabongs near Yungngora (Nookanbah) River behind Yungngora
Awards: 
2010: Hedland Art Awards, Best Indigenous Work – Sonia Kurrara
Collections: 
Kerry Stokes Holmes a Court Collection, Perth
Gallery: 
5/09,' River and Palm Trees ',56x76 cm, Acrylic on paper
86/09,' River, Parlka and Palm Trees', 56x76 cm, Acrylic on paper
153/09,' River and Palm Trees', 90x120 cm, Acrylic on canvas
154/09,' River Near Noonkanbah', 120x120 cm, Acrylic on canvas
193/06,' Parmatt Jjila' 75x52 cm, Acrylic on paper
303/09, Winner Western Australian Indigenous Artist Award ($10,000), ‘River near Noonkanbah’, 120x120cm, Acrylic on paper
304/09, 'Martuwarra' , 120x120 cm, Acrylic on canvas
399/09, 'River', 120x120 cm, Acrylic on canvas
834/09,'Barramundi', 56x76 cm, Acrylic on paper