Shirley Purdie (Birrmarriya) Gija, b. 1948
My Story growing up at Mabel Downs-by Shirley Purdie, 2025
natural ochres on canvas
80 x 100 cm
31 1/2 x 39 3/8 in
31 1/2 x 39 3/8 in
MM7904
$ 7,600.00
'I was born and raised on Mabel Downs Station, spending a lot of my time as a little girl on my own—playing with animals, listening to the birds, milking nanny...
'I was born and raised on Mabel Downs Station, spending a lot of my time as a little girl on my own—playing with animals, listening to the birds, milking nanny goats, and helping with domestic work while my mother mustered cattle alongside the men.
Our family’s journey to this place is a powerful tale of escape and survival. It begins with the cruelty we faced at the neighboring station of Violet Valley, where my grandfather witnessed the brutality inflicted upon an Aboriginal worker. This moment of violence ignited a fierce determination in him to protect our family, leading to a carefully crafted escape plan that would ensure our safety for generations tocome.
The visual narrative of this painting moves from the right, where I would venture out bush to Barloawan and play with the animals, to the center, which depicts the Kardiya's (white people's) household where I worked—cleaning, washing clothes, and tending to everything they wanted and needed.
On the far left are the more peaceful memories at Gilban, where many Dreamtime stories were shared with me, stories I now pass on to my children, grandchildren, and the younger generations of my family. Through "My Story," I honour the struggles and triumphs of my family, celebrating our journey and the strength that defines our legacy.'
Our family’s journey to this place is a powerful tale of escape and survival. It begins with the cruelty we faced at the neighboring station of Violet Valley, where my grandfather witnessed the brutality inflicted upon an Aboriginal worker. This moment of violence ignited a fierce determination in him to protect our family, leading to a carefully crafted escape plan that would ensure our safety for generations tocome.
The visual narrative of this painting moves from the right, where I would venture out bush to Barloawan and play with the animals, to the center, which depicts the Kardiya's (white people's) household where I worked—cleaning, washing clothes, and tending to everything they wanted and needed.
On the far left are the more peaceful memories at Gilban, where many Dreamtime stories were shared with me, stories I now pass on to my children, grandchildren, and the younger generations of my family. Through "My Story," I honour the struggles and triumphs of my family, celebrating our journey and the strength that defines our legacy.'
