Dorothy Djampalil

Named after her mother, Dorothy is the daughter of one of the first recognised female painters in Ramingining. Dorothy only started painting at Bula’bula Arts in 2021, however she watched and practiced with her ngandi (mother) since she was a young child. She enjoys painting alongside her yapas (sisters), story lines and song lines connected to her mother’s Ganalbingu clan.

Language: Ganbalbingu

The creation story for Ganalbingu people took place near the middle section of the Glyde River where it becomes the Goyder River. Their land, Ngaliyindi, sits astride the Arafura Swamp in Central Arnhem Land. Many Ganalbingu artists paint totemic species significant to their clan. These can include baru (crocodile), banda (long necked turtle), buliya (catfish), yalman (waterlilies), gumang (magpie geese), dakawa (fresh water yabby), ratjuk (barramundi), warrnyu (flying fox) and more.