Belinda Golder Kngwarreye
About Belinda Golder
Belinda Golder Kngwarreye, a talented Anmatyerre artist with roots in the Utopia Homelands in Central Australia, is deeply connected to a rich artistic legacy. Born in 1986, she is associated with the Mulga Bore clan country. Her family has a remarkable artistic heritage; her grandmother, Polly Ngale, is a well-known Utopia artist, while her mother, Bessie Purvis Petyarre, and sister, Janet Golder, are also accomplished artists. Additionally, her great aunts, Kathleen Ngale and Angelina Ngale, are highly regarded in the field of art.
Belinda's artistic inspirations are drawn from the Bush Plum Dreaming story, a cherished narrative passed down from her grandmother, Polly Ngale. Her unique artistic approach vividly portrays the diverse colours of the bush plum plant as it matures.
About the paintingAn intricate understanding of traditional knowledge underpins Belinda's artistic endeavours. Her adept manipulation of painting techniques is evidenced in the purposeful arrangement of bush seed imagery, employing layered dots to create a rich surface adorned with a vibrant palette. Belinda's selection of subject matter is rooted in meticulous observation and recollection, reflecting a profound intimacy with the land interwoven with personal and ancestral narratives.
One of her works portrays a woman's dream story, amalgamating her place of origin with pivotal elements such as bush tucker and waterholes, which hold paramount significance in women's extensive bush ceremonies. These ceremonial locations host crucial rites, including the recounting of the Desert Yam (or Bush Plum) tale, which originates from her familial land.
The yam, distinguished by its subterranean growth and a viny shrub ascending to heights of up to one meter above the ground, is predominantly situated on Spinifex sand plains. Following summer rains, the yam blooms with large flowers. This tuber, akin to sweet potato in taste, is a prevalent source of sustenance for desert aborigines. Beyond its gastronomic value, it boasts medicinal properties and is utilized in the treatment of cuts, wounds, bites, and rashes while also serving as an insect repellent.
