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Published by CompNet Systems on



Untitled

 This artwork showcases the artist’s skillful use of colour, texture, and technique, reflecting a deep connection to their environment and culture. Each detail embodies the unique identity of Bidyadanga Artists, where the original five language groups—Nyangumarta, Mangala, Yulparija, Juwaliny, and Karrajarri—come together to create art that speaks to the heart of Country. Over time, the community and Art Centre has grown to include people from other Kimberley tribes, fostering a space where diverse cultural knowledge and practices come together. Situated where the desert meets the sea, artists draw inspiration from their ancestral Country and personal journeys. The artist captures the vibrant beauty of both desert and coastal landscapes, blending earthy reds, deep blues, and intricate patterns distinctive to their cultural heritage. The themes and composition invite viewers into the artist’s world, offering a glimpse of the rich, intertwined histories and the enduring connection to land and spirit that define the Bidyadanga community.

Name: Barbara Thomas


Community: Bidyadanga


Biography:

I used to do sewing in the Women’s Centre and I saw all the other people painting. I saw a lot of older people painting before they past. I thought maybe I could do painting with the older ones and I started painting.


I like to paint the shells on the beach and old people’s country. I did one about Wirnpa, another a long time ago, around 2019 when all the paint was just sitting around after Jackie left. A woman from the clinic wanted to buy it to make a T Shirt, but while I was away they told me that my painting had sold already. I felt happy, I’ll keep trying, trying to get better at painting.


© the artist / art centre