Athena is a fourth-generation painter associated with the Warlukurlangu Artists Corporation, a prominent art centre based in Yuendumu, Northern Territory. She has the distinguished heritage of being the great-granddaughter of Paddy Japaljarri Sims, a foundational figure in the painting of the renowned Yuendumu school doors and a co-founder of the art centre in 1985. Her artistic lineage also includes her mother, Geraldine Napangardi Granites, and her late grandmother, Alma Nungarrayi Granites, both of whom are celebrated artists.

Having spent most of her life in Yuendumu, Athena completed her education at the local Senior Girls Upper School in 2009. Post-graduation, she worked at Mt Theo, a program that focuses on youth development and leadership, providing her with valuable work experience.

Athena began painting with Warlukurlangu in 2010, developing her skills by observing her mother, sisters, and grandmother. Her art primarily revolves around Jukurrpa (Dreaming) from both her father's side, which includes Ngapa Jukurrpa (Water Dreaming), and her mother's side, featuring Ngalyipi Jukurrpa (Snake Vine Dreaming) and Yanjirlpirri Jukurrpa (Seven Sisters Dreaming). It is her contemporary rendition of the Seven Sisters Story that has captured the global art community's attention.

Drawing inspiration from her grandmother's depiction of celestial skies, Athena utilizes a vibrant and unrestricted palette and embraces an experimental approach to the interplay of paint and water. She focuses on the natural reactions and textures that arise during the painting process, allowing the unpredictable effects of the materials to guide the development of her images.

Her technique involves intricate dot work and the application of splashes and fine mists of colour, creating a dynamic illusion of space, distance, and intimacy. The visual depth and complexity in Athena's paintings invite viewers to engage in a contemplative experience, akin to exploring the cosmos.

Athena is married to Sebastian Jupurrurla Wilson, and together they have one son. Beyond her art, she enjoys traditional activities such as hunting for Honey Ants, Bush Banana, Goanna, and Kangaroo with her family when the conditions are favorable, thereby maintaining a deep connection with her cultural roots and the land.