Petrina Bedford Dale / Wandjina Family (PB29)

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

Wandjinas are our God — the creator. We believe the Wandjinas made the Dreamtime stories, the Ungud (spirit totems), our culture, and the law. They are also the Rainmakers. The Wandjina created all the country — the land, the people, the animals, and the sacred knowledge that guides our lives.

Every person has an Ungud or totem — a spirit given before birth through dreams, usually passed down by a relative. These totems are living beings, and they connect us to the land and to each other.

In this painting, I’ve depicted 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. The Wandjinas are shown together as a united group, symbolising strength, connection, and the shared spirit of family. Each Wandjina carries the presence of my loved ones and the powerful legacy of our ancestors.