Carlene Thompson Pitjantjatjara, 1950-2026

Carlene Thompson’s practice incorporates painting, printmaking, wood carving, ceramics and fibre based works.

 Carlene was born Carlene De Rose, in Finke in 1950. She met her husband, Kunmanara (Kawaki) Thompson OAM, at De Rose Hill, and they were married there. Her late husband was a highly regarded senior Pitjantjatjara man who was a major figure in the Land Rights Movement. Carlene and her husband had one son, and five daughters, three of whom also work at the art centre. 

Carlene started painting at the art centre in 2007 and quickly developed a very individual style. In 2009 Carlene began to concentrate on ceramics. Her work is contemporary while being based on Country and the creation being of her family's country, the kalaya (emu). 

She is a strong participant in women's ceremony and is passing this knowledge down to her daughters. Carlene is on the Ernabella Arts board. She lives near Ernabella at the homeland Black Hill No. 2. 

Thompson also works collaboratively as a member of the Tjanpi Desert Weavers, creating innovative fibre art developed from traditional practices. 

Thompson has exhibited her work widely in Australia and internationally since 2007. Group exhibitions include Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters, National Museum of Australia, Canberra (2017-18); TARNANTHI, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide (2017); Our Country in clay, Nomad Art, Darwin (2017); Nyuyuntjaku - Keeping the fire alive. New paintings and ceramics by the artists of Ernabella Arts, Harvey Arts Projects, Idaho USA (2017); Nganampa Kililpil: Our Stars, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery & Arts Centre, Gymea, New South Wales (2016);Kuruntu mukuringkula kulira palyantja (Stories straight from the heart), Short Street Gallery, Broome, Western Australia (2015); Pilanypa, Harvey Art Projects, Idaho, USA (2014); String Theory: Focus on Contemporary Australian Art, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney (2013 and touring nationally 2013-15); Ngayuku Ngura, Ngayuku Tjukurpa, South Australia Museum, Adelaide (2012); We Know our Land, We Keep our Land, raft Artspace, Alice Springs Northern Territory (2011); Ara irititja munu ara kuwaritja Ernabella-la, Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne (2010); Nganampa warka wiru: Our work is beautiful, Cudgegong Gallery, Gulgong, New South Wales (2008); Ernabella – A Collection of New Works, Australia Dreaming Art, Melbourne (2007).

Carlene Thompson’s work is held in a number of collections including Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide; Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, Goulburn and Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane.