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Jillynbeng

In this artwork Peggy has depicted a bush tucker known as Jilinybeng or “bush cucumber”. This plant grows as a vine and you have to search for it amongst the grasses. Typical of the artist’s recent work the background is flecked with strokes of paint representing the spinifex and grasses being blown by the wind. For the artist this movement of the grasses as the wind blows across the country is evidence that the spirit of culture is alive because “you can see it.” The bush lemon fruit is a grey/green colour that ripens in the wet season and is collected either from the vine directly or on the ground where the fruit has dropped. “This fruit can be eaten when raw but if you eat too much it makes your tongue bright red and hurts your lips. You can also boil the fruit and drink the liquid.  Jilibnybeng is very good for you because it is high in Vitamin C.”

Categories: WARINGARRI ABORIGINAL ARTS

Name: Peggy Madij Griffiths

Language: Miriwoong

Biography:

Peggy Griffiths arts practice reflects a strong commitment to her Miriwoong culture.  Her works document the traditional country of her mother and grandfather and her recent works capture the movement of wind and light across the spinifex country which for the artist is evidence that the spirit of culture is alive.

Her elegant imagery resonates with references to cultural performance of which she is a renowned dancer.  The winding of waterways are the sinuous and graceful body movements of a dancer; the outlining dotting reflects a performer's body painting.  

Born on Newry Station to Dinah Dingle and Frank Moore, Peggy lived and learned about her family and bush life. "I grew up on Newry Station and learnt my culture from the old people.  I saw my old people being taken away from the camp with chains around their necks and I was hidden once when Welfare came so that they would not take me away. I learned to dance all the traditional dances and I have taught  all my children and grandchildren these dances.  I went to school at the Kimberley Research School and later at Beagle Bay Mission before I got married at 16 to my promised husband [Mr A. Griffiths.] We have been together ever since." Peggy began working with Waringarri Aboriginal Arts in 1985, carving and painting boab nuts and boomerangs. She progressed to painting on canvas and working with limited edition prints.  She is the first Indigenous artist to win the prestigious Fremantle Print Award.  Committed to keeping the stories of her grandfather, Charlie Mailman, alive and maintaining her connection to culture Peggy often painted along side her husband Mr A Griffiths, also a high respected elder and artist. They were key performers and teachers of traditional dance for their community. They have travelled widely, performing  at arts festivals and events.  Peggy is a highly respected senior artist at Waringarri Aboriginal Arts, teaching other artists as well as contributing to leadership of Waringarri Aboriginal Arts in a Director role. Peggy has 5 children, 27 grandchildren and a growing number of great grandchildren.

"What is important to me is to carry on my grandfather and my mother's stories. It is important to show my younger generation what I have learned about our stories and our culture.  When I paint my mind has an idea and I do that to show people how I see things."

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