Dibirdibi Country 2007

Here is a painting, called ‘Dibirdibi Country’, by Sally Gabori. Look at those big bold blocks of colour. What Gabori does with yellows, reds, and blues is so direct it almost feels rude, but it’s also incredibly confident. I can imagine Gabori standing right in front of the canvas, maybe on the floor, just going for it, not worrying too much about blending or finesse. There’s something immediate about the application of paint, like she's translating a memory directly onto the canvas. It reminds me a little of the work of Joan Mitchell. I love the way the colours butt up against each other, creating these unexpected tensions and harmonies. The pinkish red area to the top right looks almost like the texture of little dots creating a cloud-like or coral-like form. And those dark shapes, they anchor the whole composition, giving it weight. Ultimately, painting is about having a conversation and sharing visions.