DREAMS IN HER SCAPES
A collaborative mural by Miriam Baadjo & Gangu Bai
Sassoon Dock, Mumbai, India
A cultural exchange between Australian and Indian indigenous artists, celebrating their shared connections to land, heritage, and storytelling.
MIRIAM BAADJO
A Kukatja artist, known for her vibrant and spiritually charged paintings. Initially, she explored her cultural heritage through glass and screen printing before receiving permission from her Uncle Wimmitji Tjapangarti to paint his Tjukurpa (creation stories). Miriam’s work reflects her deep spiritual connection to her ancestral land, depicting important sites like Nyilla and the Luurnpa (kingfisher).
Raised in the dormitory away from her Ancestral Country, Miriam used art to maintain her spiritual connection. Her skill in color mixing and her commitment to cultural storytelling are evident in her work. After recent return to Country camps, walking on her land and experiencing its healing power, Miriam’s art transformed in ways that only come with deep knowledge and familiarity of place
Miriam’s work bridges the past and present, offering a rich portrayal of her culture, history, and connection to Country. Her paintings are a powerful expression of her heritage and artistic vision.
GANGU BAI
A Bhil artist known for her vibrant and culturally rich artwork. Growing up in a family of artists, she learned to paint while assisting with chores during festivals. Fascinated by animals and trees, she began painting on walls and floors, capturing the essence of her community’s life. Her artwork often reflects themes such as the Gohari (Cattle festival), Gatala (memorial of the dead), and the peaceful lifestyle of the Adivasi people.
Deer, peacocks, and marriage ceremonies are among her favorite subjects. Inspired by Bhuri Bai of Pitaul, Gangu Bai transitioned her art from traditional wall paintings to paper and canvas. Alongside her art, she works as a daily wage laborer at IGRSR, blending her creative passion with her daily life. Gangu Bai’s work is a celebration of her heritage, offering a vibrant depiction of Bhil culture and traditions.
The S+art Foundation Mural Project, funded by the Australian High Commission in India, brought together Aboriginal artist Miriam Baadjo from Australia and Bhil artist Gangu Bai from India to collaborate on a mural at Mumbai’s historic Sassoon Dock.
Throughout 2024, Miriam & Gangu connected via video link to discuss their cultures, communities and creative processes. This was no small feat, with language interpretations needed from Kukatja to English to Hindi, and back! The artists’ worked on their own interpretations of the mural design, shared ideas which created a draft design.
In December 2024, Miriam travelled to India with former Warlayirti manager Nick Withers, to meet Gangu and create the mural (again, no small feat from Balgo community!). Over 14 days, these two indigenous artists transformed a 30-foot wall at Mumbai’s historic Sassoon Dock into a stunning mural that blends the rich traditions of their respective cultures.
Drawing inspiration from their shared connection to land and ancestral customs, Dreams in Her Scapes mural blends the artists’ cultural traditions of storytelling through symbolic imagery and patterns. Inspired by the concept of dreamscapes, it combines elements traversing country (footsteps, carts, and new forms of transport troopy & helicopter), sacred flora and fauna (Bodhi tree, deer, Kingfisher birds and kangaroos), connecting the ancestral and natural worlds.
Through this collaboration, the artists not only brought their art to life but also facilitated a hands-on workshop, inviting local participants to engage with indigenous art forms to create a collaborative mural and share their personal stories through artist talks and walk through of the mural.
This mural stands as a powerful testament to the universal language of art, bridging cultural divides and fostering global connections, while honoring both Aboriginal and Bhil cultural heritage.