Topsy Kemarre Beasley was born at Nurrett (Hatches Creek) in Iytwelepwenty(Davenport Ranges) circa 1928. Their mother was Nellie Ngwarrey Beasley and their father, Tommy Pula Beasley (Blind Tommy), was a rainmaker. Topsy has strong memories as a child of hunting, gathering and living on her father’s Country between Alekarenge (Ali Curung), Elkedra, Imangara (Murray Downs), Nurrett (Hatches Creek), Owairtilla (Canteen Creek) and Wutunugurra (Epenarra).  

At some point prior to 1958, when Tommy and Nellie were first named in the census of Epenarra Station, they and their growing family (they would eventually have nine children in total) walked the 80 or so kilometres from Nurrett (Hatches Creek) to Epenarra Station. During those ration days, the family undertook a variety of work at the station, including cleaning and housekeeping, collecting wood and as station hands. Topsy has vivid memories of rounding up cattle on the station horses as well as working as housekeepers.

She began painting in Wutunugurra but many years ago she moved to Tennant Creek where she now lives. She is currently the most senior artist served by Barkly Regional Arts and continues to paint her intuitive and heavily textural painting style which she uses to depict a wide range of subjects, often focusing on particular species of flora and fauna. Topsy's' choice of subject has had significant influence on younger members of the Epenarra artists collective, many of whom have followed her lead in using art as a vessel for multigenerational knowledge sharing.

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Group Exhibitions

2024 Reclaimed: Art From Barkly - Cooee Art Leven, Sydney.

2024 Barkly Groundswell - cbOne Gallery, Melbourne.

2024 Desert Mob Exhibition - Araluen Gallery, Alice Springs

2023 Fire Tracks - June Marriott Gallery, Alice Springs

2019 Easter Exhibition 2019 - Barkly Regional Arts Galler