Johannes Katakarinja passed away in May 2013. He was the son of Yvonne Williams and Ambrose Katakarinja. He was born in Ntaria (Hermannsburg community). The name “Katakarinja” is the Aboriginal name for Mt Zeil which often appears in Johannes’ works. From just 13 years old Johannes learnt to paint in the watercolour style by his grandfathers and uncles. His mentor was his grandfather Walter Ebatarinja. As a teenager Johannes would skip school to head out to Palm Valley with his grandfather to paint. Johannes’ career has involved various important commissions including painting the mural at the Hermannsburg Finke River Mission Store. Johannes began painting at Ngurratjuta Iltja Ntjarra, Many Hands art centre in 2010. 

Group exhibitions

• 2019
  Tjina Nurna-ka, Pmarra Nurn-kanha, Itla Itla Nurn-kanha (Our family, our country, our legacy), Flinders University Art Museum, Adelaide SA
• 2012
  Damien Minton Gallery, Sydney, NSW
• 2012
  Regional Art Gallery, Burnie, TAS
• 2012
  Art Mob, Launceston, TAS
• 2012
  Hobart, TAS
• 2012
  Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston, VIC
• 2012
  Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA
• 2012
  Talapi Gallery, Alice Springs, NT
• 2012
  Percy Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville, QLD
• 2012
  Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
• 2011
  Metropolis Gallery, Geelong, VIC

Collections

• 2017 Queensland Art Gallery Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, QLD