122cm x 91cm
Acrylic on Canvas
Artist: Wanjidari

About the Painting
The Elders organized and ran ceremonies that were designed to teach particular aspects of the law of their people, spiritual beliefs and survival skills. Distinguishing decorative body painting indicates the type of ceremony being performed. Ceremonial dress varies from region to region and includes body paint, brightly coloured feathers from birds and ornamental coverings.

About the Artist
Wanjidari means white flower. I was born in 1965. My mother came from central Queensland at a place called Woorabinda and came from the tribe Wadja Wadja. My father came from Lockhart River from the Kuntha Napu tribe. I have been painting since I was 17 and the inspiration for my paintings came from both sides and from my childhood.

When I was growing up, I would often go out with my aunts and other family members to collect bush tucker the traditional way. We would look for turtle eggs, goanna, fruit, yams, etc. so I grew up with my culture. I now have 8 children of my own and my eldest son also shows talent in painting.

Many years ago, I did a TAFE course so that I could learn to use different mediums and to help develop my style. Exhibitions since 1986 include: The Upstairs Gallery, Cairns; Ben Grady Gallery, Canberra; Wavana Art Exhibition, Brisbane; Queensland Aboriginal Creations, Brisbane; GWW Gallery, Palm Springs USA; Hamburg Art Fair, Germany; The Gould Gallery, Melbourne; Contemporary Australian Visions, Melbourne; Burwill Gallery, Brisbane; Emerald Hill Gallery, Melbourne; Trilogy, Brisbane.

Publications: A Dictionary of Women Artists of Australia Published by Craftsman House, Cape York Concepts Published by Boolarong Publications, With Brush and Canvas in Queensland’s National Parks Published by Boolarong Publications, Aboriginality - Contemporary Aboriginal Paintings & Prints Publication by University of QLD. Press

Public and Private Collections: BHP - Brisbane; BHP Petroleum - Melbourne; Former Prime Minister Robert Hawke; Queensland Art Gallery; Queensland Museum.

There are many paintings in private and corporate collections throughout Australia, England, Ireland, Germany, South Africa, Japan, USA and Canada.