Mother, Daughter: Bai Bai Napangarti & Pauline Sunfly

Short St Gallery is honoured to present Mother, Daughter; celebrating the late Bai Bai Napangarti and her daughter Pauline Sunfly's cultural heritage and featuring artwork from Bai Bai Napangarti's estate.

Bai Bai was born circa 1939 and spent her youth living and travelling on her family’s traditional land learning law and culture. Bai Bai’s country extends from Mangkayi in the Stansmore Ranges to just south of Yagga Yagga in the East Kimberley. She began painting in 1986 and as a senior law woman of the Balgo community. Bai Bai had a strong belief in cultural traditions and introduced her family to painting and the importance of community from a young age. Bai Bai went on to become a highly sought after and respected painter who featured in numerous esteemed collections and awards. She sadly passed away in 2020.

Pauline Sunfly is the daughter of Bai Bai Napangarti and the late Sunfly Tjampitjin, also a respected senior figure and artist. Pauline inherited many Tjukurpa (dreamtime) stories from her parents and has carved a reputation as an accomplished and sought-after artist herself. Pauline boldly recreates her Tjukurpa on canvas using strong colours, techniques, and the stories her mother passed on to her. Pauline’s powerful and graphic paintings have also found themselves in significant collections and awards that recognise her gift as an artist who is skilled in interpreting and honouring her rich cultural heritage.