Celebrating the Artistry of Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi

Born in Australia’s Northern Territory in 1967, Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi is a luminary in Australian Art history, embodying the essence of First Nations Art. As the eldest child of the iconic Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, Gabriella’s journey into art began early, with her works deeply rooted in Dreaming stories passed down by her grandmother, Long Rose Nungala. Her paintings reflect powerful themes like Grandmother’s Dreaming, Seven Sisters Dreaming, and Goanna, highlighting her rich Anmatyerre heritage. 🎨🌿

Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi’s illustrious career, vast array of exhibitions, and numerous accolades have cemented her status as a pivotal figure in the global art world. Her mesmerizing artworks, deeply rooted in the Dreamings of her Anmatyerre heritage, captivate audiences worldwide and speak a universal language of cultural richness and artistic mastery. 🌍🎨💫

As the eldest daughter of the legendary Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, one of the most celebrated artists of Australia, Gabriella was introduced to the world of art at a very early age. From her early collaborations with her father to her individual works, she has created significant art pieces, symbolizing the rich cultural heritage of the First Nations people.

The Inheritance of Stories and Dreamings

The underlying essence of Gabriella’s artwork lies in the Dreaming stories she inherited from her paternal grandmother, Long Rose Nungala, and other senior women who mentored her during her formative years. These stories encapsulate various elements such as Grandmother’s Dreaming, Seven Sisters Dreaming (Milky Way), Goanna, Bush Tucker, and Serpent Dreamings, all of which resonate with her Anmatyerre heritage. 🌌🦎🍃🐍

Gabriella’s artistic talent was recognized early on, with her becoming the youngest artist to receive the esteemed Alice Springs Art Prize while still studying at Yirara College, at just 16 years old. Her deep-rooted knowledge of women’s dreaming stories, along with the technical prowess she gleaned from her interaction with the grass roots painters of Papunya Tula, such as her father’s brother Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri, Long Jack Phillipus, Johnny Warrankgula Tjupurula, and many others, have all contributed significantly to her artistic growth. 🏆🎨

A True Global Superstar Indigenous Artist

Today, Gabriella resides in Melbourne with her family. She continues her artistic journey, traveling extensively to practice her craft, reminiscent of her late father. The multitude of prizes, collections, and exhibitions she has been part of, both within Australia and internationally, are testament to her standing in the art world and the investment potential of her beautiful artworks. 🌍🖌️🏅

Gabriella’s art, an amalgamation of tradition and innovation, represents the depth and variety of Australian First Nations artistry. With global exhibitions and a plethora of awards, she’s not just a guardian of her ancestral heritage but a pivotal figure on the international art stage. 🌍✨

🌍🎨💫 Her art is housed in several prominent collections, and the numerous awards she has received over the years attest to her talent and the importance of her contribution to the art world. Gabriella’s work is featured in collections across the globe, from the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra to the Royal Collection of HRH Queen Elizabeth in the UK. 🏛️👑

A First Nations Artist We Need To Celebrate

🌟🎨🌍 Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi’s extraordinary career, extensive exhibitions, and recognitions truly position her as a noteworthy figure in the global art landscape. Her artworks continue to captivate viewers around the world, with her depictions of Dreamings from her Anmatyerre heritage that resonate universally. Gabriella’s contributions to Australian art are immense and her legacy, parallel to her father’s. Like him her work will continue to inspire aspiring artists for generations to come. 🌟🏛️

Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi’s work has been globally recognized, as she has been exhibited worldwide and has garnered numerous awards. Her artworks not only convey the depth of her cultural heritage but also position her as a significant figure within the global art scene.

Selected Collections: 🌟🎨🌍

• National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
• Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin
• Flinders University Art Museum, Adelaide
• Holmes A Court Collection, Perth
• Kelton Foundation Collection, Santa Monica
• Winterthur Collection, Switzerland
• Corrigan Collection, Sydney
• Royal Collection, HRH Queen Elizabeth, UK
• Richard Branson Collection, UK
• Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs
• Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide
• Maroondah City Council Art Collection, Maroondah, VIC, Australia
• Hank Ebes Collection, Melbourne
• Gillian & Watson McAllister Collection, Sydney

Awards & Recognitions: 🏅 🏆👩‍🎨

2022: Connection | Songlines from Australia’s First Peoples in a spectacular immersive experience, National Museum of Australia, Canberra

2020: Gabriella’s artwork was chosen to be exhibited at the Dubai Expo

2016: Vivid Projection Programme, Opera House, Sydney

2014: Art Tram, Melbourne Festival, Melbourne

2008: Chelsea Flower Show – Gold Medal

1993: Alice Springs Art Prize, Record Cover for ‘Coloured Stone’

Over the years, Gabriella has been part of numerous exhibitions, each time showcasing her unique style and storytelling ability, capturing the interest of audiences around the world. 🌟🎨🌍

Selected Exhibitions: 🎨🌿🌟

2023: Possum Family, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney; Lounge Exhibition, Australian Open Tennis tournament, Melbourne

2022: Connection, National Museum of Australia, Canberra; Colour Pop, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney

2021: Gillian and Watson McAllister Collection, Cooee Art, Bondi; The Seven Sisters and the Night Sky, Art Mob, Hobart

2020: Family Business – The Art of the Possum Family, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney; The Continuing Legacy of Clifford Possum: Clifford, Gabriella, Michelle, Coo-ee Art Gallery, Sydney

2019: Beyond Time, Australian Aboriginal Art, Booker Lowe Gallery, Houston; Of Earth and Fire, Exhibition of Maroondah City Council Art Collection, Maroondah, VIC; Seven Sisters, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney; International Women’s Day, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney; Landscape Colours, Japingka Aboriginal Art, Fremantle; 20/20 Vision: 20 Years 20 Women, Brenda Colahan Fine Art, Sydney

2018: Beyond the Veil, Olsen Gruin, New York

2017: Talking about Country | Possum Sisters, Japingka Aboriginal Art, Fremantle

2015: Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi & Michelle Possum Nungurrayi, Japingka Aboriginal Art, Fremantle

2012: Heirs and Successors, Japingka Gallery, Fremantle

2011: Gabriella and Michelle Possum, Aranda Aboriginal Art, Melbourne

2009: Generations, Aranda Aboriginal Art, Melbourne; Starry Starry Nights, Framed Gallery, Darwin; Best of Gabriella Possum, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney

2008: Art Aborigene Australien, Paris, France

2007: Shanghai Art Fair, China; London Art Fair, UK

2006: Shanghai Art Fair, China; ‘Dreaming Their Way’, National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington DC, USA

2002: Canterbury Art Exhibition, Melbourne

2001: Mia Mia Gallery, Melbourne

2000: United Nations Building, New York

1999: Flinders University Art Museum, Adelaide; Aboriginal Art Galleries of Australia, Melbourne

1998: Art of the Aborigines, Warsaw, Poland

1993: Berne, Switzerland; London, U.K.

1992: Coo-ee Gallery, Sydney; Washington DC, U.S.A.

1988: Aboriginal Dot Painting, Melbourne

1987: Brisbane – in conjunction with her father Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri