Dorothy Ward

Dorothy Ward is a senior custodian represented by Kayili Arts, originating from Patjarr, a small community in the Ngaanyatjarraku Shire of the Gibson Desert. Established around 2005, Patjarr lies north of Warburton and west of Warakurna, serving senior traditional owners. Renowned artists often travel between Warburton and Patjarr to visit family, maintaining strong cultural and familial connections.

Ward, along with her fellow artists, is celebrated for powerful paintings deeply rooted in traditional law and ancestral knowledge, passed down through generations. These artworks not only embody cultural heritage but also contribute to practical needs, such as funding local dialysis services, showcasing art's healing power in Indigenous communities.

During an interview with The Guardian at the Tarnanthi festival of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in Adelaide, Ward described her painting process. She taps her head and heart, saying, “My family had the knowledge, the knowledge with culture, of every dreamtime rock hole ... they bring the story into the painting.” This connection to ancestral dreamings, passed down from grandparents, strengthens the artists, infusing their work with both mind and heart.