Ivy Laidlaw
Ivy Laidlaw (b.1945 – 2023)
Ivy was is a Pitjantjatara woman who was born at a rockhole called Walpapulka near Irrunytju. Ivy was a founding member of Irrunytju Arts and was a highly regarded sculpture, weaver and storyteller.
Her mother was ill and unable to care for her when she was a baby so Ivy and her sister spent much of their early childhood at the mission at Warburton. Ivy spent some time at school and learnt English, hymns and Bible stories. Ivy frequently went back to her country with her family where she learnt tjukurpa and how to survive in the desert. When she grew up Ivy worked in the mission bakery and clinic before returning to Irrunytjy where she married Patju Presley who she knew from childhood days in the mission.