balance of your world
Education package to accompany the exhibition 'Balance of your World'
Sally Gabori
Ngumuwa kinyint - Dark shapes
(Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda, 2011)
Ngumuwa kinyint - Dark shapes (2011) is a largescale painting created using the media synthetic polymer paint on linen. Sally Gabori described the painting as being “the big saltpan at the back of Nyinyilki on Bentinck Island" (Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda, 2011).
The colours used range from white, light blue, dark blue and black. Colour has been used symbolically to represent the water in the lake and contrasts with the white used to symbolise salt. The use of different values of blue creates variety within the painting and links to variations in colours of water. Furthermore the black and white contrast emphasises the different land forms which exist within the area and highlights the use of shape. Recurring blocks of black serve as a point of emphasis, whilst also creating harmony within the painting through the use of repetition.
The shapes are abstract and irregular forms which symbolise the natural landscape which is jagged and unique. Furthermore, the use of large, blocked forms creates a feeling of sparseness emphasising the large size of the salt pans. Asymmetrical balance has also been used to reflect the irregular landscape; however, the elements have still been arranged with a point of emphasis to create a sense of harmony within the painting. Through simple elements of colour and shape, Sally has condensed the image of her homeland into a simple image which captures the essence of her home.
Sally Gabori is a senior woman of the Kaiadilt tribe from the South Wellesley Islands, in the Southern Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland. She speaks the Kayardild language and her tribal name is Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda. Juwarnda means 'black dophin' which is her totemic sign and Mirdidingkingathi means 'born at Mirdidingki', in her country on the south side of Bentinck Island (Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda, 2011).
She was born around 1924 and lived a completely traditional life, with practically no contact with non-Kaiadilt people, spending her time fishing and gathering shellfish and vegetable foods, and maintaining the stone fish walls around the shores of Bentinck Island (Evans, 2006).
Aboriginal people express their identity in a variety of ways through their languages, kinship relationships, cultural practices and ownership of the land. People’s identity is also expressed through their art and the style in which they paint. In some areas, each clan group owns its own distinctive and exclusive pattern. In other areas people across a broad region may also share the same way of painting to express their identity (Evans, 2006).
Sally Gabori has a distinctive abstract style, featuring large blocks of colour which expressively capture her interpretations of her country. Dibirdibi Country is a collection of works focusing on her connection to the lands of her husband Pat Gabroi. Dibirdibi is located on Bentinck Island and contains a vast saltpan, mangrove swamps and rocky outcrops (Sally Gabori, 2012).
Have a Go!
Sally Gabori uses the technique of layering paint in abstract forms to create a painting with depth and contrast. This activity will help you to create your own abstract art.
1. Think of your inspiration. It may be something like your local bush, a colourful rainforest or a beach scene.
2. Think of the colours and shapes in your scene. Make a list of them. Try to think about which tints and shades to use and whether your shapes will be regular, abstract, smooth or jagged.
3. Using colour and shape, block out the background of your image.
4. Next, add details on top of the background. Keep adding details till you feel your artwork is complete.
This is an example of an abstract painting. Remember you need to draw inspiration from an actual scene. For more information click here.
Activity adapted from: (How to paint abstract art, 2012)
Locate it: Using Google Maps locate ‘Bentinck Island’. https://maps.google.com.au/
What features do you notice? What colours can you see?
Look at the following painting by Sally Gabori.
How do you think the colour pallet of her home influenced the painting?
Sally Gabori (Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda, 2011).