Queenie McKenzie (c.1920-1998) was a Gija painter and pioneer of the east Kimberley school of ochre artists that include Jack Britten, Rover Thomas and George Mung Mung. A important law woman, McKenzie was instrumental in establishing the first wholly community owned art centre for Gija artists, Warmun Arts, and worked throughout her painting career to bring her story, and that of its culture, to both the outside world and to younger generations in her community. Her works are represented in most public collections of Australia and in leading private collections.

This work features one of McKenzie’s favourite painting themes - Purnululu or the Bungle Bungles depicting one of the ancient mountain range’s weather-worn domed hills in silhouette.

The dramatic rock formations of the Bungle Bungles (Purnululu) are situated in the Kimberley adjacent to the Aboriginal community of Warmun - McKenzies home for much of her adult life. Most distinctive of its features are its high domed rocky sandstone hills that rise to elevations of 578 metres above sea level, striated by bands of grey and orange. Rising steeply from the earth, the walls of Purnululu are punctured by deep chasms at the base of which are often water courses, deep rock holes and caves carved by water and wind.

Traditionally the rock faces, caves and watercourses of Purnululu are sacred places for the Gija people of the region. They also provided shelter and water during the areas long dry season.