Dibirdibi Country 2011

Sally Gabori made this painting, Dibirdibi Country, using broad strokes of orange and white paint. I can imagine her standing in front of the canvas, thinking about the stories of her country and the memories she holds. The painting feels like a direct outpouring of feeling, a landscape from the inside, translated onto the canvas. Look at the way the paint is applied – thick, gestural, almost like she's sculpting the land with color. The orange hues evoke the warmth and intensity of the Australian landscape. Then, see how the white streaks cut across the orange – they almost feel like water cascading down rocks. I wonder if that single stroke of yellowy green was a memory emerging from the depths. The physicality of the painting, the layering and movement of the paint, all contribute to its emotional resonance. The marks are not just descriptive but expressive, bearing witness to Gabori’s personal history and artistic vision. It reminds me how artists are always building on what came before, adding their own unique perspectives to the ongoing story of art.