Minyma Tingari (41x41cm) by Barbara Reid

Titled in full "Minyma Tingari - Sandhill Country, 2000" this delightful painting, measuring 41x41cm by Barbara Napangarti Reid vividly portrays the women's ceremonies held in the sandhill country (tali) in honour of the bush apple. The U-shapes represent the women around the ceremonial site, depicted by a central concentric circle, while the oval shapes floating on the surface symbolise the bush apples.

The events associated with the Tingari Cycle are secret and sacred, involving Dreaming ancestors who traveled vast stretches of the country performing rituals that shaped the land formations. The Tingari men were accompanied by novices and followed by the Tingari women. Their journeys and adventures are preserved in song cycles, which play a crucial role in post-initiatory teachings and explaining contemporary customs.

This painting captures the iconic sandhill landscape of the western desert, near the border of Northern Territory and Western Australia. The stratified lines and arc shapes represent the endless rows of tali (sand hills) that dominate the region. These designs emphasize the importance of Tingari rituals in preserving cultural heritage.

Reid's work also illustrates the shifting dunes that move with the wind, a vital aspect of the landscape requiring seasonal navigational knowledge. Viewed from an aerial perspective, "Tali (Sandhills)" can be displayed in either landscape or vertical format, reflecting its versatility and depth.

Barbara Napangarti Reid's artwork has gained significant recognition, featuring in numerous National Collections in Australia and many touring exhibitions. She was a finalist in the 17th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award (NATSIAA), underscoring the enduring legacy and contemporary relevance of her art.