Dibirdibi Country 2006

Sally Gabori made Dibirdibi Country with synthetic polymer paint on canvas. Gabori began painting at the age of 81. But she rapidly gained recognition for her vibrant abstract depictions of her homeland, Bentinck Island, in Queensland, Australia. The use of bold colors, and the seemingly simple composition, belie a deep connection to the land and its cultural significance. Each color might represent specific aspects of the landscape, Dreamtime stories, or ancestral connections. The island was the site of a Presbyterian mission and government reserve, and its Indigenous population suffered through forced relocation in the mid-20th century. Gabori's paintings are thus vital expressions of cultural resilience and self-determination. To fully understand the depth of Gabori's art, we can turn to the oral histories, cultural studies, and the records of the Mornington Island Mission. Through these resources, we can appreciate the social conditions that have shaped the life and work of this remarkable artist.