APY Art Centre Collective

Debra Umala

Australia

Debra Umala is the daughter of esteemed artist Angkaliya Curtis, and the sister-in-law to artist, Teresa Baker.

Debra paints Kalily-Kalilypa, a sweet-tasting native bush. The bush is hit with a stick to bring a shower of lerps to their mouths and hands. Lerps are also a sweet treat, a type of chrysalis made up of starch, protein and fats, formed by small sap-sucking insects called psyllids. The roundels Debra paints are the waterholes, where the people gather to drink after the enjoying the bush treats.


Debra worked as a project officer at the Mimili Arts Centre for several years and has 5 children.