Untitled | SP-2498

DOB: c.1942

Language: Ganalbingu

Region: Ramingining, NT



Dorothy was born at Murrwangi near Mulgurrum, as the daughter of Nhulmarmar, a renowned bark painter. Her artistic journey was influenced by the superintendent at her mission school, who encouraged her to paint in the Western style. Outside of school, she was trained by her father and uncle in traditional bark painting techniques using natural ochres and bush brushes. However, during this period, the stories depicted in their paintings were considered 'men's business' and were not shared with Dorothy.

Throughout her life, Dorothy married twice. Her second husband, Djardi Ashley, another prominent bark painter, motivated her to resume painting. Concerned about the preservation of their tribal stories, her father, who had only one son, sought permission from the elders to pass on the sacred Ganalbingu narratives to Dorothy. This significant decision made Dorothy one of the first female painters to depict traditionally male stories from the Top End.

Dorothy has since developed a distinctive style that differentiates her work from other artists. Her artworks are highly regarded and have achieved significant value, with some pieces selling for up to $15,000.


COLLECTIONS

Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, SA
Artbank, Sydney, NSW
Flinders University Art Museum, Adelaide, SA
Linden Museum, Stuttgart, Germany
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin, NT
Museum of Contemporary Art, Ramingining Collection, Sydney, NSW
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, ACT
National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, Sydney, NSW
The Holmes à Court Collection, Perth, WA


EXHIBITIONS

1974-1976
Art of Aboriginal Australia, touring Canada, Rothmans of Pall Mall Canada Ltd, Canada
1983
George Paton Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
1986
Dorothy Djukulul and Djardie Ashley, Aboriginal Artist's Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
1988
5th National Aboriginal Art Award Exhibition, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin, NT
1989
Ramingining, Gamununggu Miyalk, women painters, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs
1990
Women from Ramingining, a Girls Own Gallery, Canberra, ACT
1992
Art of the Spirit, Gold Coast City Art Gallery, Surfers Paradise, QLD
1992-1993
New Tracks Old Land, Touring USA and Australia
1993
Prints by Ramingining Artists, Hogarth Gallery, Paddington, NSW
1993-1994
ARATJARA - Art of the First Australians Touring: Kunstammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen in Dusseldorf, Hayward Gallery in London, Louisiana Museum in the USA and Humlebaek in Denmark
1994
11th National Aboriginal Art Award Exhibition, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin, NT
1994
Power of the Land - Masterpieces of Aboriginal Art, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, VIC
2005
Gamanuggu Ganalbingu, Indigenart, Fremantle, WA
2005
Yaku Yindi: Big names from Ramingining NT, Hogarth Galleries, Sydney, NSW
AWARDS
1991
John Kluge - Painting the Land Collection, Virginia, USA