Mukati Dreaming, 1999 by Dorothy Napangardi 92x92cm

The early transitional work Mukati Dreaming, 1999 is part of Dorothy Napangardi's celebrated Bush Plum Dreaming series. Unlike her later works, which focused on her birthplace near Mina Mina, this piece draws from the broader Napangardi kinship Dreaming stories.

Napangardi's early career is characterised by vibrant, colourful depictions of bush foods, particularly bush plum and bush banana Dreaming. These floral compositions reflect her deep connection to the land and her expertise as a skilled hunter of bush tucker. Napangardi's passion for bush food was a central aspect of her life, often leading her to venture into the country with family and friends to gather native foods.

In 1991, she won the ‘Best Painting’ category at the Telstra Aboriginal Art Award for a colourful piece depicting the bush plum story. A decade later, she achieved even greater recognition by winning the overall award, solidifying her place as one of the most important contemporary Aboriginal artists.

Napangardi's deep cultural roots stem from her father, Paddy Japanangka Lewis, a strong ceremonial figure, and her mother, Jeannie Lewis, a Warlpiri woman. Their influence instilled in Dorothy a profound connection to her country and its ancestral songs.

'Mukati Dreaming, 1999' is featured on page 48 of the monograph Honouring and Remembering the Art and Life of Dorothy Napangardi, 1987-2013 , underscoring its significance in her artistic journey.