Sandhills, 2004 by Dorothy Napangardi 91x91cm 10036DN

Sandhills, 2004(91x91cm) by Dorothy Napangardi is a masterful and lyrical depiction of the ever-changing desert landscape shaped by the winds. The painting captures the dynamic beauty of the sand as it shifts and transforms across the terrain, symbolising the transient and eternal nature of the natural world.

Dorothy employs a rhythmic pattern of meticulously placed white dots against a vibrant red background, creating an undulating sea of harmonious motion. The composition evokes the sweeping energy of the sandhills as they gather, disperse, and ripple across the canvas, imbuing the work with a sense of movement and vitality.

Central to this painting is Mina Mina, a sacred site in the remote Tanami Desert, of which Dorothy is a custodial owner. This area, characterised by two vast soakage regions and endless sandhills, holds profound cultural and spiritual significance. It is a place where women of the Napangardi and Napanangka kinship groups perform sacred rituals, including songs and dances, to preserve and pass on their traditional knowledge of the Jukurrpa (Dreaming).

True to Dorothy's signature style, Sandhills offers an aerial perspective of her ancestral land, Mina Mina. The painting's orientation is fluid, allowing it to be displayed in any direction, further emphasising its timeless and universal quality. This work stands as a testament to Dorothy Napangardi's deep connection to her country and her ability to translate its essence into a breathtaking visual language.