Winparrku (2007) by Mitjili Napanangka Gibson 152x122cm Cat 9803MN

The background in the first image is close to reality but the lines are softer in colour (more yellow than orange) like in the 2nd image.

This painting represents the Winparrku/Yumari area where Mitjili was born and grew up. Along with an important water soakage there are many different bush foods to be found here including bush tomatoes and wild turkey.

For the first 25 years of her life, Mitjili lived there on her ancestral lands, in the traditional way. She was taught to hunt and she was told the legends about her country and the dreaming stories associated with Lake Mackay.

Her first formal encounter with Europeans came in 1957 when she was probably aged around 18 years of age with anthropologist and ornithologist Donald Thomson on his expedition into Central Australia. Photos in his book show Mitjili as a young pregnant woman, holding her little son Lyle, around two, in her arms.

Throughout her life, she continued to be known for her extraordinary tracking skills and was frequently called upon by conservationists to look for endangered species and in huge demand to help out biologists, zoologists and botanists as well as teaching bush crafts.