Umatji is a Yankunytjatjara woman born in Indulkana Community on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. Umatji’s mother, Kunmanara (Kathleen Injiki) Tjapalyi was one of the founders and senior artists at Mimili Maku Arts. Growing up, Umatji learned from her mother and father about their country and their storylines.

Today, Umatji paints her mother’s country around Iltur, which forms part of the Antara storyline, and is celebrated in Women’s Ceremony. Before becoming involved with the art centre, Umatji spent many years working with land management on mapping country, identifying plants and important sites all the way to the far west around Kanpi and Nyapari. Whilst Umatji only commenced painting in 2021, she has already been recognised as one of the most talented emerging painters at Mimili Maku Arts and was a finalist in the Hadley’s Art Prize for landscape painting in 2022. In 2023 she was a finalist in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards and the Mosman Art Prize, following in her late mother’s footsteps.