Mother's Country 1997

Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi created this painting called 'Mother's Country'. Nungurrayi is an Indigenous Australian artist whose work provides a window into the complex relationship between identity, history, and land. This piece, like much of her work, uses the traditional dot-painting technique to map her mother’s country, illustrating both physical and spiritual terrain. The painting is more than just a visual representation; it's a narrative, deeply rooted in the stories and experiences of her ancestors. Through her art, Nungurrayi engages with themes of memory, displacement, and cultural preservation. She explores the concept of Indigenous land rights, raising questions about who gets to define and control the narrative of a place. She has said: "These stories have been passed down to me by my parents and grandparents. Now I paint them for my children." 'Mother's Country' invites viewers to reflect on the power of art to convey history, and to consider the layers of meaning embedded within the land.