Thundi (Big River), 2007, Sally Gabori
Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 152cm x 101cm
Provenance: Mornington Island Arts & Craft, Queensland. Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne. Private Collection, Melbourne. Mossgreen, Melbourne.
Sally Gabori paints with The Bentinck Island Artists. The group is formed by seven women who were raised outside of European ways, and although she spent most of her life away from her country, Gabori maintained Kaiadilt culture, singing its songs with family and community, fishing and gathering bush foods. As one of the few surviving keepers of Kaiadilt language, traditions, stories and culture, she began painting late in life, and shared this culture in her vibrant pieces. Her pieces capture the unique way the Kaiadilt see the world. Gabori mixes wet paints directly on the canvas to create cast tonal shifts and broad brushstrokes (1).
Artist Statement
My painting shows the big river at Thundi on Bentinck Island. This is my Father’s Country.’