Dorothy Djukulul facts for kids

Dorothy Djukulul (born 1942) is a famous Australian Aboriginal artist. She lives in Ramingining in Central Arnhem Land, a special part of Australia. Dorothy speaks the Ganalbingu language.

About Dorothy Djukulul

Dorothy Djukulul was born on June 10, 1942. Her birthplace was Murrwangi, close to the Arafura Swamp in Arnhem Land. When she was a child, Dorothy and her family lived on Milingimbi Island. There, she went to a Methodist school.

Later, Dorothy worked in a bakery. This was in Maningrida, a new Aboriginal community. After school, Dorothy and her family moved back to Ramingining. She married her first husband and moved to Maningrida. After he passed away, she returned to Ramingining. In 1978, Dorothy married her second husband, Djardie Ashley.

Dorothy learned to paint from her father, Ngulmarmar. He was a very skilled bark painter. His artworks have been shown in many big art galleries. They have also appeared in art books. Dorothy is one of the first women painters in central Arnhem Land. She is also allowed to paint images that are usually only for male artists. This is because her father, Ngulmarmar, worried that some sacred art and stories might be lost. He asked the tribal elders to let Dorothy paint these designs. This helped keep the special art of the Ganalbingu tribe alive.

Her Art Career

Dorothy Djukulul creates her art in Ramingining. This area is in Central Arnhem Land. She has made many artworks with her second husband, Djardie Ashley. He is also a bark painter. They showed their art together at the Aboriginal Artist Gallery in Melbourne in 1984 and 1986.

Dorothy was one of several artists who helped create "The Aboriginal Memorial." This is a big art display of 200 carved and painted log coffins. It was made to remember Aboriginal people who died after European settlement. The artwork was first shown in Sydney in 1988. Today, you can see it at the National Gallery of Australia.

Dorothy and Djardie Ashley have shown their work together many times. Ten of their paintings from the Melbourne show were bought for the Robert Holmes à Court Collection. Dorothy has also been part of many group art shows.

In 1991, Dorothy Djukulul received a special art job. She was asked to create art for the "Painting the Land Collection" in Virginia, USA.

Dorothy was also part of a project called Twelve Canoes. This project was based on the film Ten Canoes (2003). It aims to show important parts of the Yolngu culture in Ramingining. Several of Dorothy's artworks were included in this project.

Dorothy paints many designs that are usually not allowed for women in her culture. With special permission, she has created her own unique style. This style makes her stand out among all artists. Both people from outside her culture and her own people admire her work.

Where Her Art Is Kept

Dorothy Djukulul's artworks are in many important collections. You can find them at the National Gallery of Australia. They are also at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Other places include the National Gallery of Victoria and the National Museum of Australia. Her art is also in the Museum of Cultural History in Norway. The Hood Museum of Art and the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection in the USA also have her pieces.

Dorothy and Djardie Ashley had two shows together in Melbourne. This was at the Aboriginal Artist Gallery in 1984 and 1986. Ten of their artworks were added to the Robert Holmes à Court Collection. After these shows, they exhibited together again. They showed their art in Darwin in 1988. In 1990, they had another show in Paddington, Australia.

In 2018, Dorothy was part of an exhibition. It was called "Tim, Tom E., Harry, Rusty, Tiger & Pussycat: Recent Works on Paper with Basil Hall." This show featured new works by Indigenous artists. These works were hand-printed by a master printmaker.

Important Exhibitions

• 1984: Dorothy Djukulul and Djardie Ashley. Aboriginal Artist Gallery in Melbourne.
• 1986: Dorothy Djukulul and Djardie Ashley. Aboriginal Artist Gallery in Melbourne.
• 1988: Five Dupan (Hollow Logs). Part of The Aboriginal Memorial.
• 1988: Dorothy Djukulul and Djardie Ashley. Esplanade Gallery in Darwin.
• 1990: Dorothy Djukulul and Djardie Ashley. Cooee Gallery in Paddington.
• 2018: Tim, Tom E., Harry, Rusty, Tiger & Pussycat: Recent Works on Paper with Basil Hall. Nancy Sever Gallery.