Doreen Dickson Nakamarra

I (Sabine Haider, Director of Central Art) have known and worked with Doreen Dickson Nakamarra since 2006 after being introduced through her family members, namely her sister Janet. Doreen is a traditional Warlpiri woman from Willowra Community which is approximately 250km North West of Alice Springs in Central Australia. It is also 200km from Yuendumu Community where Doreen also has family members. She comes from a family who is well known for their art, including her sister, Janet Long Nakamarra, and mother Nora Long Napanangka whom Central Art also represents.

Born in 1956 on her families traditional homelands Doreen grew up completely immersed in her culture and traditions. Her skin name is Nakamarra and the Nakamarra women are well known artists and have contributed greatly to the Australian Aboriginal art movement in the Central and Western Desert regions of Australia. The art produced from these areas is country and land based and reflects the Dreamings, culture and traditions of the tribes that inhibit there. Doreen is one of the senior Warlpiri artists and is often an example to many young female artists in the community. She has participated in several exhibitions and her works can be found in galleries around the country.

The “Warlpiri style” of painting is very distinctive, often rich, colourful and bold in their presentation. Sometimes subtle and delicate, but inevitability precise and focuses on the all important food gathering in the harsh and often unforgiving desert environment. Stories often include the very necessary water sources, the travels of ancestral tribes to differing communities within a framework of the land and natural environment including fire, lightning, animals, the sky and horizon. An understanding and respect of all of which is crucial for survival. Doreen’s works often feature women’s ceremonies and business and her Dreaming Ngurlu, or the English translation, Damper Seed. Her Ngurlu Dreamings are quite breathtaking; her style is a fine dotting technique in black and white filigree which creates a striking and complex composition.  Central Art has a fine example of one of her Damper Seed artworks still available and it is a stunning piece.

The important stories that Doreen depicts through her art are important to her and her people in ensuring that continuity of her knowledge is passed down through the generations. This task she takes quite seriously. Doreen is not afraid to try new things with her artwork depiction and Central Art has a good variety of her different styles. She is able to use traditional aboriginal iconography and symbols in her Women’s Ceremonies paintings whilst also being bold in her interpretations of the body paint designs which are painted on the women during important ceremonial activities. She is certainly an artist to consider, her works are well executed and precise, good sizes and very affordable.