Norma was born in Geraldton Western Australia and grew up in Mullewa WA. She grew up knowing little of her heritage and later in life endeavoured to learn more about her mother and grandmother from the Gascoyne Region (Language group Yamatji) and her Grandfather’s Nyungar country South West of WA.

Norma completed her Diploma of fine art as a mature age student at the Midland College of T.A.F.E. With Completion of her studies, student of the year Norma won the Sangora award, the prize money enabled Norma to journey to country and research her family history of the 1905 ACT ‘stolen generation’ where history of her people evolved though her art.

Norma MacDonald has enjoyed a long and distinguished art career and is a highly respected Indigenous artist whose works are recognised both nationally and internationally. Norma has had many highly successful solo exhibitions, invited and group exhibitions.

Norma has also illustrated Children’s books, ‘Corroboree’ UWA Press Perth, ‘Stolen Girl’ Author Trina Saffioti, Illustrated Norma MacDonald, Magabala Books and her own book written and illustrated ‘Spinifex Mouse’ 1&2 Magabala Books, 2018The Great Lizard Trek Author- Felicity Bradshaw Illustrated Norma MacDonald. Throughout her art career Norma has been commissioned to construct large public art as well as projects in schools in WA Norma MacDonald is represented in numerous collections.