Dibirdibi Country, My Country - Sally Gabori Solo Show

Dibirdibi Country, My Country - Sally Gabori Solo Show

A Collection of Fine Mornington Island Aboriginal Art



01 Mar 2011

One of Australia’s most exciting and collectable contemporary artists, Sally Gabori, gets first solo show in Singapore at the Australian High Commission, Singapore.

In 2005 an elderly Kaiadilt woman, living in one of Australia’s most remote communities, took the art world by surprise. Aged 80, Sally Gabori, wandered into the Mornington Island Arts and Crafts centre, picked up a brush and a new movement of art began.

Contemporary, vivid and saturated with the colours of the tropics one could be forgiven for not recognising this as indigenous art but it’s a departure that has collectors taking notice.

The international response to Sally’s work has been enormous and with shows in Australia, UK, South Korea, middle East and the US she has won over curators, galleries and major collectors alike. April will mark her first show at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) so it seems fitting to prepare for that with this beautiful collection of bright and meaningful recent works.

In “50 of Australia’s Most Collectable Artists" published by the prestigious Art Collector Magazine, Sally was listed in 2009, 2010 and again this year in 2011.

Her art is a visual record of a nation’s life and landscapes but sadly Sally and her community were forced to leave their land more than 50 years ago. In 1948, following a natural disaster, they were evacuated from their home in Bentink Island to Mornington Island, an experience so traumatic that for years no babies were born. Today fewer than ten people can speak their original language but in the images of waterholes, fishing traps, reefs, rocks and shells we can see a land and life lost to its people but reclaimed through their art.

Her abstract paintings bursting with vivid colour may be inspired by the landscape of her ancient homeland but the look is modern, bold and quite simply beautiful.

It is little wonder these powerful works have been collected by The National Gallery of Victoria, Edith Cowan University, the Chartwell, Merenda, Lagerberg-Swift and Marshall Collections, Leeuwin Estate, Harding Family and the Musee du Quai Branly.

Importantly, the success of this collectable work helps a community retain its identity and generates a vital economy providing much needed education, support and infrastructure.

ReDot Fine Art Gallery in collaboration with the Australian High Commission is proud to present this landmark solo exhibition which will be held at The Australian High Commission.

Admission is between 8:30am and 4:30pm, daily (Monday to Friday) and you will need an official form of identification to enter the premises. Guided tours can be arranged by contact ReDot Fine Art Gallery on info@redotgallery.com.