Atipalku is the matriarch of a highly regarded family of Ernabella artists. She was born in Ernabella and first started working at the art centre over fifty years ago spinning wool and weaving rugs. Atipalku later excelled in creating batik pieces and she is also an accomplished tjanpi weaver, punu (wood) artist and a painter.
Atipalku’s husband Adrian Intjalki was an established punu artist and her son Jeffrey Lewis is well known for painting birds. Atipalku’s three daughters Michelle Lewis, Lynette Lewis and Langaliki Lewis are all highly sought after for their canvas and ceramic work.
