Beyond Mina Mina by Dorothy Napangardi 244x168cm

Beyond Mina Mina - Bilby Dreaming (My Father's Country) by Dorothy Napangardi

Created in 2006 as part of a series for the 2008 Adelaide Biennale, "Beyond Mina Mina - Bilby Dreaming (My Father's Country)" by Dorothy Napangardi holds profound cultural and personal significance. This artwork is intricately tied to Dorothy's actual conception site, an important sacred place for the Bilby.

Sacred Connection and Dreaming

The Bilby Dreaming was passed down to Dorothy by her father, Paddy Lewis, during their journey back to their ancestral lands. The artwork refers to the claypans west of Mina Mina, a region deeply sacred to the Bilby. Aboriginal Australians have coexisted with Bilbies for over 60,000 years. However, since European settlement, the Bilby has been pushed to the brink of extinction. Originally, there were two Bilby species, but the Lesser Bilby (Macrotis leucura) is believed to have become extinct in the early 1950s, leaving only the Greater Bilby, now commonly known simply as "the Bilby."

Cultural Significance

Bilbies hold a special place in the songs and stories of Aboriginal Australians, who have up to 20 different names for them. These creatures are deeply embedded in Aboriginal culture and traditions.

Art and Legacy

Although Dorothy and her father couldn't physically reach the sacred site, "Beyond Mina Mina - Bilby Dreaming (My Father's Country)" embodies the spiritual and cultural journey they undertook. This painting is not just an artwork but a testament to the enduring connection between Aboriginal people and their ancestral lands, as well as their ongoing efforts to preserve their heritage.

This work is featured on page 45 in the monograph: Honouring and Remembering the Art and Life of Dorothy Napangardi, 1987-2013