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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.

Margaret (Colleen) Everett

Name: Margaret (Colleen) Everett

Language: Mangala

Biography:

“I was born in Broome and grew up in Bidyadanga. I went to school a long, long time ago, then went to Nulungu College in Broome. After that, I went back to Bidyadanga. I have eight kids — two boys have passed away — and seven grandkids, one in Perth. I started painting the year before last, in 2020. I paint the desert, bush flowers, and the waterholes. I’ve been living in Bidyadanga for a long time. When we were schooling, we stayed in the dormitory with all the other girls. We used to have blue tops and floppy pants to go to school. We were really happy when we were young. They would take all the kids out — we used to go fishing, or out to Port Smith for dinner or a day out on the big truck. All the kids used to be hanging on the back (chuckling), camping and fishing. Nobody taught me to paint — I had to do it on my own. I saw the other girls painting and I had to join. It makes me feel good, sitting down, relaxing, and painting. I paint about my mother’s Country, Mangala. I hope to keep painting and continue at my Art Centre.”
– Margaret (Colleen) Everett