Imelda (Yukenbarri) Gugaman walked into old Balgo Mission with her mother, accomplished painter Lucy Yukenbarri, as a small child and lived in the dormitories at the Mission for a number of years. She attended the government school at Balgo and then lived for a short time in Beagle Bay where she met her husband. They started a family there and moved back to Balgo. She spent a lot of time with her mother, Lucy, who would explain the importance of passing on the stories they were painting to the children of the family. As well as painting in the art centre every day, Imelda is an active member of the community and has served on the Warlayirti Board of Directors for many years. She recently travelled to Melbourne to attend the opening of “Warlayirti: The Art of Balgo” and dance with other Balgo artists at the National Gallery of Victoria.
