‘Pindan’ is a colour that is often used around Broome, on buildings, for uniforms, in photography and art. Suzanne Holland is a local Broome artist and the colour ‘Pindan’ can be found in most of her paintings. Here’s what Suzanne has to say about the colour ‘Pindan’.
Artist reflection on Pindan Art
Pindan is a colour, that sits somewhere between red and brown.
It’s the fine hot desert sands, that gently blow in, stretching from the cape to 80 mile beach, Broome included.
Pindan is on a mission to coat the white sand, creep into your skin and stain it a raw red. Centuries of blows have compacted the desert sand in Pindan cliffs.
It’s a the colour of a Kimberley locals feet, their thongs and their freshly washed white clothes hanging on the line.
Pindan is photographed, climbed on and painted. The oceans wash it away and the deserts blows it back.
Pindan was thought to be derived from a local aboriginal word and applies to the soil and the local vegetation.
Over the years, it’s weaved it’s way into everything and everyone that visits.
Said out loud, Pindan sounds like the hot build up season. Whisper it and it echoes like the cool winds of winter. Ignore it and you’ll find it in your toenails and stained onto the souls of your feet. Know it and you’ll know a little corner of the Kimberley.
We live and breath in Pindan. Pindan is a not just a colour, it’s a feeling, an emotion and always the endless hot red sand.
Pindan is Broome. You’ll find Pindan in most of my art, sneaking into the canvas, coating the paintings with a warm Kimberley calling message for everyone who dares to take a lingering look.
Check out all of Suzanne Holland’s artwork at the Pindan Art shop.