Sandhills 2006 by Dorothy Napangardi 76x41cm

Dorothy Napangardi's 2006 painting, "Sandhills," exemplifies her distinctive artistic style, capturing the essence of the Mina Mina landscape in the Tanami Desert, Northern Territory. As a Warlpiri woman and custodian of this sacred site, Napangardi translates the undulating sandhills and expansive soakage areas into a dynamic visual experience.

In this work, Napangardi employs a palette of ochre reds, yellows, and white dots against a black background. The intricate dotting technique creates a sense of movement, reflecting the shifting sands and the transient nature of the desert environment. This method not only conveys the physical characteristics of Mina Mina but also embodies the spiritual significance of the land.

Mina Mina holds profound importance in Warlpiri culture, particularly concerning the Karntakurlangu Jukurrpa(Women's Dreaming). According to ancestral narratives, groups of women traveled eastward from Mina Mina, gathering food and performing ceremonies. The landscape, dominated by salt lakes, claypan soakages, and sandhills, serves as both the setting and subject of Napangardi's work.

Napangardi's "Sandhills" not only showcases her mastery of colour and form but also serves as a visual storytelling medium, preserving and sharing the rich traditions of her heritage. Her innovative approach has solidified her reputation as one of Australia's most important Aboriginal artistsSandhills 2006 by Dorothy Napangardi

Using a myriad of beautiful colours such as ochre reds, yellows and white dots that filter through the undulating lines set against a black background, Dorothy Napangardi has created a shifting sea of wonderfully harmonious colour that gathers and disperses across the canvas.

As with all this artist's work, this painting revolves around the sacred site of Mina Mina, in the remote Tanami Desert of which Dorothy is custodial owner. It is made up of two enormous soakage areas and endless sandhills that shift and move with the wind.