Morgan, Sally (1951–)
Morgan, Sally (1951–)
Australian Aboriginal writer and artist. Born Sally Milroy, Jan 18, 1951, in Perth, Western Australia, of Palku descent; University of Western Australia, BA, 1974; Western Australian Institute of Technology, post-graduate diploma in psychology and library studies; m. Paul Morgan, 1972; children: 3.
Unaware of aboriginal heritage until age 15, having been told that family came from India, began researching family's story, traveling north to Pilbara area of Western Australia where her grandmother was born (1983); overwhelmed by grandmother Nan's story, published bestselling My Place (1987), which won Australian Human Rights Award for Literature; published 2nd book, a biography of her grandfather, Wanamurraganya: The Story of Jack McPhee (1989); began painting as well, holding exhibitions, winning prizes and selling paintings, some of which are displayed in Australian National Gallery and collected in The Art of Sally Morgan (1996); also illustrated such children's books as Little Piggies (1991) and Hurry Up Oscar (1993); wrote play Sistergirl, 1st performed at Festival of Perth (1992); served as director of Center for Indigenous History and the Arts at University of Western Australia.