At Mumbai’s bustling Sassoon Dock, a striking mural, Dreams in Her Scapes, invites viewers into a shared dreamworld where two distinct cultures converge.
This captivating piece of art was brought to life by Miriam Baadjo, a First Nations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders) artist from Balgo, Australia, and Gangu Bai, a Bhil artist from Bhopal, India.
Miriam Baadjo began her artistic journey by exploring Tjukurpa (creation stories) through glass and screen printing at the Adult Education Centre. Known for her vibrant and traditional approach, Miriam combines her deep cultural knowledge with a passion for colour mixing and technical mastery. She has exhibited widely both nationally and internationally, and her painting Watkutjarra inspired composer Nora Lewis to create the musical piece Onsight for the Darwin Symphony Orchestra.
Gangu Bai, from Jhabua district in Madhya Pradesh, learned painting from her family while helping with chores during festivals. Drawn to animals and trees, she initially painted on walls and floors, and for the past eight years, has explored canvas painting. Her works often depict themes such as the Gohari (Cattle festival), Gatala (memorial of the dead), and the peaceful Adivasi lifestyle.
United by the language of symbols and patterns, the mural explores deep-rooted themes of connection, resilience, and creation.
The Mumbai mural, according to the organisers, explores “the idea of interconnected nodes in storytelling—how dots, footsteps, and natural symbols serve as anchors for memory and identity.”
The concept of dreamscapes serves as the heart of the mural.
For Miriam, dreams are intertwined with Tjukurpa—the spiritual and creation stories passed down through her First Nations heritage. These stories map the relationships between people, the land, and the cosmos.
For Gangu, dreams express themselves through vibrant dots and patterns that recount stories of nature, community, and ritual in Bhil traditions.
In this artwork, the artists merge their worldviews to depict dreams as powerful portals. These dreamscapes transcend time and place, connecting personal and ancestral memories while offering a space for reflection on humanity’s shared relationship with the world.
Sassoon Dock—an urban space steeped in history—adds a unique layer of meaning, making it the perfect setting for this convergence of two spiritual traditions within the vibrant city.
The mural’s intricate imagery, including natural symbols like footsteps, Kingfishers, and trees, weaves a tapestry of interconnected stories. Miriam’s use of Tjukurpa’s sacred symbolism blends seamlessly with Gangu’s vibrant depiction of nature, creating a visual dialogue across cultures.
As part of the project, artists Miriam Baadjo and Gangu Bai also hosted a hands-on workshop inviting participants to explore their origins through the prompt, “Dream the origin of your __.”
Attendees reflected on personal or collective beginnings, transforming these thoughts into visual art using drawing and dotting techniques inspired by First Nations and Bhil traditions.
The creations were incorporated into the larger mural at Sassoon Dock, linking personal dreams with the mural’s collective narrative. The workshop provided insight into the artists’ processes, reinforcing the mural’s theme of interconnectedness between community, environment, and tradition.
Dreams in Her Scapes is a permanent addition to Sassoon Dock, providing a visual portal that encourages reflection on the universality of storytelling, while also honouring the specificities of First Nations and Bhil cultures.
The mural continues to evolve, inviting visitors to pause, connect, and contemplate the stories hidden within its vibrant patterns.
This artistic initiative was supported by the Australian Consulate-General in Mumbai, St+art India Foundation, Mumbai Port Trust, and Asian Paints, with coordination by Agency Projects.
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