Karlangu 2002 by Dorothy Napangardi 122x60cm

Karlangu 2002 by Dorothy Napangardi – A Tribute to Women's Dreaming

In Karlangu 2002 , acclaimed Warlpiri artist Dorothy Napangardi presents a mesmerising depiction of the desert oak forest, a significant element of the Women's Dreaming ( Karntakurlangu Tjukurrpa ). This sacred story, meaning "belonging to women," honours the Napangardi/Napanangka kinship group, illustrating their ceremonial dance as they traverse the vast Central Desert, singing the world into existence.

The desert oak( Allocasuarina decaisneana ) is a striking feature of the Western Desert landscape, with its slow-growing yet deeply rooted structure—its roots extending at least a third of the tree’s height to access underground water. These resilient and majestic trees are woven into Dreaming narratives, symbolising endurance, connection to Country, and the deep spiritual relationship between Warlpiri women and their ancestral lands.

Dorothy Napangardi’s intricate dot work and minimalist compositions elevate Karlangu 2002 beyond a landscape painting, transforming it into a sacred cartography of Country, rich in cultural heritage and ancestral wisdom. Her signature black-and-white palette creates a rhythmic movement across the canvas, echoing the patterns of ceremonial body paint and the timeless songlines of the desert.

A key figure in contemporary Indigenous Australian art, Dorothy Napangardi's work is celebrated for its ethereal beauty and profound storytelling, solidifying her legacy as one of the most influential artists of the Papunya Tula movement.