Title

Gingingara, Doris.

Author

Australian Art Print Network.

Source

[Not applicable]

Publication date

2001

Type

Biography

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

Doris Gingingara

Doris Gingingara was born in 1946 at Maningrida, an Aboriginal community in Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory.

She spent her childhood in the traditional way learning the skills required of the women in her tribal group, Barada. When she was a little girl she was taken by Mimi spirits and put into a tree to be taught about basket weaving and net making. Mimi are important figures in the culture of Arnhem Land Aborigines and are often depicted in bark paintings as long thin humans.

The inspiration for her art came from childhood experiences, events from everyday life, the things she saw around the bush, Dreaming totems, sacred places and the ceremonial traditions of her people. She also drew on locations around Mt. Magnet, the outback mining town where she lived until her death in 1999. All Gingingara’s work conveys the intricate detail of the world seen from an Aboriginal woman’s perspective, exploring the complex relationship of the artist and the natural world.

She used a range of rich ochre colours from warm pinks and yellows to burnt reds and deep browns. These are often contrasted with bright blues, greens and purples. The total effect of her work is of a warm harmony of colours created in very intricate patterns.

The art of Gingingara has been described as the most exciting trend in current Australian art — the blend of traditional Aboriginal culture with contemporary materials and expression.

Biography courtesy of the Australian Art Print Network, 2001.

© Australianprints