Shirley Purdie facts for kids

Shirley Purdie is an important Indigenous Australian artist. She was born in 1947. Shirley is known for her amazing paintings. She won a big award called the Blake Prize for Religious Art in 2007. Shirley lives and paints in a place called Warmun Community. This community is in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

About Shirley Purdie

Shirley Purdie was born in 1947. Her birthplace was Gilbun, also known as Mabel Downs Station. This area is in the beautiful Kimberley region of Western Australia. Her mother was Madigan Thomas. Shirley later moved to Warmun, which is close to where she was born. She still lives and paints there today. Shirley is married to another artist named Gordon Barney. Her special Ngarrangarni totem is a crow.

Shirley's Art and Style

Shirley Purdie learned to paint from two very important women. One was her mother. The other was a famous Kimberley Indigenous artist, Queenie McKenzie. These two women were among the first to start painting at Warmun in the early 1980s. Shirley's art often shows stories from her culture. She also paints about the history of her community.

The Stations of the Cross Painting

One of Shirley's most famous artworks is called Stations of the Cross. This painting shows the Christian story of the 14 Stations of the Cross. But it also tells a deeper story. It includes the history of conflict and violence in her community. This happened in the 1920s and 1930s.

In March 2007, there were very bad floods. Shirley's Stations of the Cross painting was on the walls of the Warmun Art Centre. The floodwaters washed it away. Later, it was found near a creek. The painting was badly damaged.

Awards and Recognition

Shirley Purdie has received several awards for her art. In 2007, she won the Blake Prize for Religious Art. This was for her special work, Stations of the Cross. Winning this award showed how important her art is.

Where to See Her Art

Shirley Purdie's artworks are kept in major art galleries. These include the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Her art is also at the National Gallery of Australia. The National Gallery has her 1996 lithograph. A lithograph is a type of print. This print is called Giwiwan – Bow River Country. This artwork shows how she was influenced by the painting style of another major artist, Rover Thomas.

Books About Shirley

A book about Shirley Purdie was published in 2020. It is titled Shirley Purdie: My Story, Ngaginybe Jarragbe. This book was recognized for its importance. It was shortlisted for the Premier's Prize for an Emerging Writer. This was at the 2020 Western Australian Premier's Book Awards. It was also considered for the 2021 Children's Book of the Year Award for New Illustrator.