Colleen comes from a strong family tradition of Eastern Arrernte painters, which include - Kathleen and Gabrielle Wallace.
Her Yam Dreaming links through to the country of Ada Bird Petyarre, a well renowned artist from Mulga Bore, Utopia. Kenny Tilmouth Panangka (grandfather) has given her the rights to paint Yam Dreaming. Colleen has been painting since 1990.
Colleen’s paintings are precise dot designs with a colour field varying from warm earth tones to vibrant complementary colours like yellows and greens. The arc designs of her Bush Yam paintings refer to the digging sites.
Colleen’s work also incorporate ceremonial body paint designs and more detailed designs associated to the Bush Yam, the vine and its flower, which only grows in ‘green times’ (during rain).

Colleen’s work has featured in numerous Exhibitions both nationally and internationally. Her work is also represented in Private Collections