Lydia Balbal Australian, Mangala, b. 1958

Lydia Balbal is a Mangala woman. She was married to the Yulparija artist Nabiru Bullen until his death in 2009. Lydia's country is near Punmu in the Great Sandy Desert of W.A. Her people's existence was threatened by severe drought so that they had little choice but to leave their traditional country. Her family were some of the last to walk out to the coastal town of Bidyadanga (then La Grange Mission) located two hours south of Broome in the early 70s. Lydia first began painting in 2007 but has already received significant attention from collectors and the media alike.

Balbal explores jila (living water) located near the Percival Lakes in the Great Sandy Desert in Western Australia. It is an important gathering of the Yulparija and neighbouring groups where they would come together for rain making ceremonies. Other works in the collection highlight martakulu, a soak out near Punmu near the Canning Stock Route. This is strong woman’s Country and part of the women's law line.