Petrina Bedford Dale / Djalala Wandjina Family (PB40)

Petrina Bedford Dale was born in Derby, WA in 1998 and is a third generation West Kimberley artist. Both her grandfathers – Jack Dale Mengenen (maternal) and Paddy Bedford (paternal) were celebrated Indigenous Kimberley artists.

Petrina’s mother, Edna Dale, is a senior artist and Petrina and her mother often paint side by side. Petrina was only 12 when her first artworks were included in an exhibition at Japingka Gallery in Perth alongside the works of her mother and grandfather. An incredible achievement for such a young artist.

Petrina is the oldest of eight children to her parents Edna and Lance – seven girls and a boy. Petrina is Gija skin on her father’s side and Ngarinyin on her mother’s side. She lives with her family at Imintji Community, 230km east of Derby along the Gibb River Road, where her mother is Chairperson.

Petrina was extremely close to her late grandfather Jack Dale who encouraged her to paint from a young age. Painting allowed Jack to pass on the stories of his country which relate to the Wandjina rock art of the West Kimberley.

Now in her twenties, Petrina is an established artist in her own right with an incredible talent and, we believe, an amazing career in front of her. Most definitely an artist to watch out for in the future.

Group Exhibitions

• 2024 Mowanjum Wandjinas, Art Mob, TAS
• 2019 Dungog Contemporary, NSW
• 2019 Moonie’s Art Studio/Gallery, Broome, WA
• 2017 Sydney Opera House Homeground Markets, Sydney, NSW
• 2016 Revealed, Fremantle Art Centre, Perth, WA
• 2016 Paintings & prints – Reveal, Thelma Johns, Perth, WA
• 2006 Jack Dale – A Kimberley History

Bibliography

• 2015 ‘Mowanjum Daytrip,’ Philippa Jahn, Desert River Sea, Art Gallery of Western Australia

In Ngarinyin law, all Wandjinas are our creator — they are our God. With large, watchful eyes and no mouths, it is said that if the Wandjina did have a mouth, their power would be too great. This Wandjina story comes from Bell Gorge, my great-great grandfather’s Country.

The red and white circles throughout the painting are Djalala — sacred marking stones that symbolise land ownership. These important sites are where the Wandjinas created Dreaming places. Each one holds the memory of the laws and ceremonies passed down to the Ngarinyin people to guide us — ensuring we live well, with strong families, culture, shelter, ceremony and food.

In this piece, I’ve painted ten Wandjinas to represent my family. I’m the eldest of eight children born to my parents, Edna and Lance — seven girls and one boy. Each Wandjina is painted with its own unique patterns and markings, reflecting the spirit and identity of my family.