My Dads Country #8699-14

'My Father was born under the pandanus tree near the swamp on the edge of Kabararrji south of Bentinck Island. So he bears the name Kabararrjingathi and has rights of ownership to Kabararrji – a place name which is corrupted into English as "Gabori”. The women use to gather the malbaa grass that are plentiful there and make woven grass bags called miiild."

Follow

I was born on Mornington Island and have lived my whole life here. I have only ever been to Bentinck Island once when my Dad was still alive but I don't have any real connection with my Country. I have 5 children, 4 boys and 1 girl and all but youngest one Billy are over 18 and living their own lives. I really only started painting because I had to complete a certain number of hours for Jobfind not because of how good my Mum became as an artist or for money. I'm glad I started painting as it gives me something to do and I really enjoy coming to the Art Centre with the other artists and having joke and fun while we paint. I'm closer to my Dad's side of the family than Mum's so I paint my Father's Father and Mother's Country a lot.