PEGGY PATRICK (Born 1935) Greenvale to MacKenzie Springs, 2005 Natural pigment on canvas 100 x 100 cm Natural earth pigment on canvas 39 3/8 x 39 3/8 in. Provenance Our Land Gallery (Kununurra, Western Australia) Private collection, Switzerland, acquired from the gallery in 2005 This painting is accompanied by its original certificate, written and signed by Our Land Gallery in 2005. Notes Peggy Patrick was born around 1930 in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia. A respected elder of the Gija people, she is recognised for her many contributions as an artist and cultural custodian. Her life is profoundly linked to the major socio-cultural transformations experienced by her community over the course of the 20th and 21st centuries. Growing up in the bush, Peggy acquired extensive traditional knowledge. She has taken on many roles: teacher, storyteller, hunter, painter and custodian of traditional laws. Her deep understanding of Gija law and culture has earned her immense respect within her community. In the visual arts, her paintings frequently evoke themes essential to Gija culture and history. Beyond her artistic practice, Peggy has been a fervent defender of the rights of indigenous peoples. In recognition of her commitment to the preservation and promotion of Gija culture, she was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2010. This distinction honours her efforts to promote reconciliation and cultural dialogue between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.