289-25 – People gathering – JANE GIMME

Artist : JANE GIMME
Title : People gathering
Size/Medium : 914 x 610mm: acrylic on canvas Painting

Biography

Jane Gimme is the daughter of the late Eubena Nampitjin (c.1929–2013), one of the most revered figures in Indigenous Australian art. Raised at the old Balgo mission, Jane was gently guided by her mother to uphold the ancestral knowledge and traditions of her people.

Today, Jane stands as a cultural and spiritual pillar of the Wirrimanu (Balgo) community. As a primary language speaker, she plays a vital role in passing down cultural knowledge to younger generations. She is also a committed church leader and a long-time member of the Warlayirti Artists Board, where she has served as both Chair and Vice-Chair.

Like her mother, Jane brings vibrant colour and deep symbolism to both canvas and silk. Her works are marked by clarity, structure, and a quiet intensity—painted with care, contemplation, and a spirit that seems to listen to the land itself. Her artistic journey is one of constant evolution, as she continues to deepen her connection with both medium and Country.

About this painting

This work depicts people gathering around a central waterhole, a vital source of life in the desert. The U-shapes represent individuals seated on the ground, facing inward in a communal moment of connection, ceremony, or rest. The circle at the centre symbolizes the waterhole, a place of both spiritual and practical significance. Through these simple yet powerful forms, the painting evokes the rhythms of gathering, sharing, and belonging in Country.