LYDIA BALBAL - MURGA

 LYDIA BALBAL
MURGA,  2008
75.5 x 122 cm
synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen
 
PROVENANCE
Punmu, WA
Short Street Gallery, WA, Cat No. 24308Private Collection, WA 
 
STORY
Lydia Balbal is a Mangala woman who was born near Punmu in the Great Sandy Desert of W.A. Her family were some of the last to walk out to the coastal town of Bidyadanga (then La Grange Mission) located two hours south of Broome in the early 70s after severe drought threatened her people's existence. She first began painting in 2007 and her works received immediate attention from collectors.According to Lydia, "Snake in this rockhole. He underground, he quiet one. This big rockhole. This good hunting place we dig for eggs. This one desert side. This mummy and father country. This Mangala country."