My Country by Daisy Andrews, 98x30cm

My Country by Daisy Andrews, 98x30cm

Daisy Andrews' art is inspired by the beauty of her Kimberley country. She once said, "When I paint, I see that country in my head—sandhills, flowers, everything. I tell my grandkids these stories so they’ll visit this country one day. I like taking my paintings to the city to share my story."

Born at Cherrabun Station, Andrews was a Walmajarri woman whose family moved north due to drought, tribal conflicts, and settler encroachment. Despite her father’s attempts to return to their homeland, they were repeatedly blocked by authorities, and he was sometimes taken back in chains. The family was eventually sent to Moola Bulla government station.

In 1981, Andrews began literacy classes at the Karrayili Adult Education Centre. While the men wrote about their histories, the women illustrated them, sparking Andrews’ passion for painting. She exhibited nationally from 1991 and won the 1994 Telstra Award at NATSIAA for Lumpa Lumpa (Wet Time) Landscape . Her work was showcased in over 40 exhibitions and commissioned for a 12-metre backdrop for Alcina by the WA Opera.

Provenance: Mangkaja Arts, Fitzroy Crossing