About Dorothy Robinson Napangardi
Dorothy began painting in 1987 at the “Centre for Aboriginal Artists. Her initial works were highly influenced by Eunice Napangardi in particular, as they share a number of stories, close friends, and are of the same skin group, and both paint Bush Banana Dreaming.
Born in 1952, Dorothy comes from Pikilyi, which is situated approximately 400 km northwest of Alice Springs. Living a traditional lifestyle until the early 1960’s when her family group walked into the pastoralist station of Mt Doreen.
Holding a senior position in the field of traditional law within the Warlpiri society, Dorothy’s works play an integral role in the preservation and communication of her Dreamings. When painting Women’s Dreamings she refers to the Mina Mina site, which is a highly significant site as it is recognized as the point of origin for Karntakurlangu Jukurrpa (Women’s Dreaming) for both the Kukuja and Warlpiri. Containing two large clay pans and numerous water soakages the land is relatively fertile. It is also thought to be the place where the digging sticks originated, emerging from the ground during the era of creation.
In 1991 Dorothy won the Museum’s and Art Gallery’s Award for the best artwork in Western Media at the National Aboriginal Art Award. This work is now part of a permanent collection for the Museum and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory. In 2001 Dorothy won the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award. She passed away in June 2013.