Sally Gabori (c.1924–2015) was a trailblazing Aboriginal Australian artist whose late-blooming career transformed the contemporary art world. Born on Bentinck Island in Queensland’s Gulf of Carpentaria, Gabori was a member of the Kaiadilt people, living a traditional lifestyle deeply connected to her homeland. Her artistic journey began remarkably late in life, at the age of 81, yet she quickly became celebrated for her vibrant abstract works that conveyed a profound sense of place and cultural identity.
Displaced from her ancestral home in 1948 due to environmental devastation, Gabori and her community were relocated to Mornington Island, a separation that deeply influenced her life and, later, her art. When introduced to painting in 2005 at the Mornington Island Arts and Crafts Centre, she began creating large-scale works that depicted the landscapes and memories of Bentinck Island. Her dynamic compositions, characterized by bold colors and gestural forms, were deeply personal yet universally resonant.
Gabori’s art garnered critical acclaim and was featured in over 28 solo exhibitions during her lifetime, including major showcases in Australia and internationally. Her works are now part of prestigious collections, such as the National Gallery of Australia and the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris. Highlights of her career include her celebrated survey exhibition at the Fondation Cartier in Paris in 2022, cementing her legacy as a global artistic force.
Despite her brief but prolific career, producing over 2,000 paintings, Gabori’s work endures as a testament to the enduring connection between art, memory, and identity. Through her visionary approach, Sally Gabori brought the landscapes and stories of the Kaiadilt people to the world, leaving an indelible mark on contemporary art.
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