The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.
Nangala (the brolga), 2018
by Shirley Purdie
“This the brolga, his skin name is Nangala.”
Nangala is also Shirley’s daughter’s skin, and it can take on many forms such as the sandfrog or turtle. They are all the Nangalas, and they are all female.