Phyllis Thomas / Kimberley Boab (2B)

Phyllis was born at Turner River (Kartang Rija) and grew up in the beautiful Purnululu region in the East Kimberley, which is now World Heritage listed.  Her mother was Kitja skin and her father Jaru (desert-way).  Phyllis worked around the station, doing yard duties and assisting with the domestic animals.  Whilst in Wyndham, she met her husband, Joe Thomas, a stockman.  She accompanied him to Springvale, then Mabel Downs Stations.  Joe worked at Bow River Station alongside the late Timmy Timms for Sam and Maggie Lilly, and much later when the Government granted the station to the Timms Family, Joe was granted an excision, and developed Rugan Community (Crocodile Hole).

Joe was instrumental in setting up a school on his Community, and Phyllis taught the children culture – carving, painting and dancing.  Eventually the school was closed and the children attended the larger school at nearby Warmun Community.

Phyllis is a highly collectable First Generation Ochre Artist whose works are held in the very best Private and Corporate Collections, including Parliament House. She is an established Senior Kimberley Ochre Artist, paints and exhibits with the highest profile Ochre Artists of the East Kimberley, and with her art centre at Warmun. Her works are traditional, she is a respected Law Woman in the Region and depicts her country and the Dreaming Stories in natural ochre medium.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2006
– Womens Business, Sherman Galleries, Sydney
– East Kimberley Exhibition, Japingka Gallery, Perth

2005
– New Work from Warmun, Gadfly Gallery, Perth

2004
– A Selection of Contemporary Art, Martin Browne Fine Art, Sydney. Other artists featured included Emily Kngwarreye and Paddy Bedford

2002/03
– Blood on the Spinifex, Ian Potter Museum of Art, Melbourne

2000
– 17th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, Museum and Art Gallery of the NT

SELECTED COLLECTIONS
– Parliament House Collection, Canberra
– Art Gallery of Western Australia
– Private and corporate collections throughout Australia and Overseas

The Boab Tree is a mystery in itself – purportedly native to Madagascar, it grows in Australia only in the East Kimberley Region of Western Australia and the Victoria River area of the Northern Territory. Its trunk is voluminous, often trees are seen growing in triplicate (three trunks intertwined), its branches spider-like in comparison with the bulky trunk – impressively monolithic. The tree is an integral part of the Aboriginal culture, the people used it for shelter, and its large fruit for food and medicinal purposes. These trees are synonymous with the beautiful and rugged Kimberley landscape, memorable and unique, and Phyllis’ depiction of them in her artworks is a tribute to their significance in the culture and heritage of this Traditional lady.