Judy is the eldest daughter to Greeny Purvis Petyarre (dec) and Kathleen Kemarre. Greeny was senior custodian for Alhalkere country and Judy and her sisters' paintings are associated with this country.

Judy was involved with the Utopia Batik movement and her work features in the Holmes à Court collection. Judy has featured in several group exhibitions since 1977, including shows at Utopia Art, Sydney; the Orange Regional Gallery; the Austral Gallery, St Louis, USA; the Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin; Mbantua Gallery, Alice Springs and the Araluen Art Centre, Alice Springs.

Mbantua Gallery Collection, Alice Springs, NT

The Holmes à Court Collection, Perth, WA