Her mother is Minnie Pwerle and her father was Irish. She was "hidden” from the authorities at the age of 2, but then became one of the "stolen generation” of children when she was taken at the age of 9 and fostered out to various families and institutions in and around Alice Springs. Her family believed she had been killed. In the late 1960’s Barbara returned to Utopia with her 6 children where she was determined to reconnect with her heritage and her family.

The artistic influence of her aunt, Emily Kame Knangwarreye, upon the whole Community of Utopia women artists cannot be overestimated. Barbara Weir paints "Bush Berry”, "Grass Seed” and "My Mother’s Country”. She has become internationally renowned for her unique style and has travelled, exhibited, and had numerous sell-out shows around the world. She is represented in a number of major Public Galleries and private collections throughout the county.