Mendoowoorrji

Mendoowoorrji

#4

Corporate

VH-XZJ

B737-838

Qantas [+]

2013-

The fifth aborigene livery for Qantas was also adapted by Balarinji Design Studios, this time from 1991 artwork ‘Yam Dreaming’ painted by late artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye, one of the most prominent and successful artists in the history of contemporary indigenous Australian art.

Qantas relaunched its Indigenous Flying Art series in 2013 with the help of the National Gallery in Canberra and long time partner Balarinji Design Studios.

The airline selected the 2005 painting "Medicine Pocket" of late West Australian Aboriginal artist Paddy 'Goowoomji' Bedford. The painting's name is English for an original sacred camping place called "Mendoowoorrji" by local Gija people in the East Kimberly region of Western Australia, where Bedford's mother was from. Bedford was entitled to paint this country (in the Aboriginal meaning of the word) because it was part of his mother's Dreaming. Bedford's painting is considered loosely representational of landscape and strongly influenced by traditional techniques and iconography of western 'desert' art.

The Balarinji Design Studios then worked with local artists to carefully adapt the painting to the shape of the fuselage of a 737. The special scheme was painted directly on a brand new 737 at the Boeing Seattle factory and was subsequently 'christened' during a ceremony with a dance greeting by Gija elders which also included the author's daughter Kathy Watson. Note the red tail has a darker tone than Qantas' standard to match the original artwork. The aircraft initially flew to Broome (Kimberley Region) and Canberra on promotional duties and is still used by the airline for special events. A model of the plane and the original artwork are juxtaposed at the National Gallery in Canberra.

Images  ©  Tony Haynes (ADL)
Artwork  ©  National Gallery Australia
Tags   Original Artwork, Traditional Patterns