Amanda Gabori is an Indigenous Australian artist with a strong family tradition in art. Her creative expression, paintings, the message she conveys, and the fulfilment she gets from practising art derive from the strong cultural and family connection.
Amanda Gabori
Amanda is the youngest daughter of Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori, one of the leading contemporary Indigenous Australian artists of the last decade. “Her Dad was born on the edge of Kabararrji in the south of Bentinck Island. So, he carries the name Kabararrjingathi, his Country – that’s why he is called Gabori, the English corruption of the place name. Her Mum was born at Mirdidingki on the south side of Bentinck Island, so she carries the name Mirdidingkingathi,” John Armstrong, Art Centre Manager from Mirndiyan Gununa Aboriginal Corporation told.
“The standout success of the late Sally Gabori and other Kaiadilt women like Netta Loogatha, May Moodoonuthi and Paula Paul represented a radically different style when they arrived at the Art Centre in 2005. This is the vibrant new tradition from which Amanda has emerged,” John continued.
My Mother’s Country (No 671-20) | 198 x 102cm | Acrylic on linen
Amanda learned painting from an early age, mainly by watching her mother. “I started painting when I was just sitting at home and wanted to go up and join my mum painting as she was really enjoying it,” Amanda described. Her mother was very encouraging for Amanda to paint with her. Towards the end of her career, Sally painted collaborative works with her daughters and encouraged her daughters into the art centre to develop their skills and become the next generation of artists in their community.
Sally Gabori, together with many others, was removed from her home, the Bentick Island, early in her life and much of her creative outlet dealt with that trauma and sadness. Amanda’s art carries elements and remnants of the inherited sense of loss and connection to the Bentick Island too. But this sadness and loss are combined with joyful and delicate stories of her native environment, her love for her family and the culture of Australian Indigenous people.
Dibirdibi Scales (N0 8893-14) | 121 x 91cm | Acrylic on linen
“I paint my Country on Bentinck Island and Dibirdibi, which is my language name and totem given to me by my father. Dibirdibi is the small River Rock Cod. I like to paint the scales that cover his body to keep the connection with him and keep the story alive,” Amanda said. “The River Rock Cod is about my daughter as well. I gave her that language name. So, through the River Rock Cod, there is a connection from my grandfather through to our father and then to my daughter.”
Cheerful, energetic colours are a striking element in Amanda’s art; bright yellows, deep reds and vibrant pinks. “Pink is my favourite colour and has been present in my paintings throughout the years,” Amanda said. “I remember my mother’s way of painting with colours and colours are in everything I see around me. Pink was my mother’s favourite colour too.”
Dibirdibi Scales (No 9091-17) | 151 x 90cm | Acrylic on linen
Connection to her audience might not be the main focus of Amanda’s art. Still, it is the audience who is privileged to be part of her connection to her country, to experience the love she has for her family and to share the private, happy memories Amanda has of her mother and her childhood. “It’s a feeling from my heart about my parents, my country and my culture – it is always about my family and my country.”
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