Angelina Jolie’s art teacher shares her insights into the world’s most intriguing family – the Jolie Pitts.
When Indigenous artist Bibi Barba was summoned to teach an art class for a mysterious “very high- profile” client’s children, she never imagined the mansion door would be opened to reveal world-famous actress Angelina Jolie and her children Maddox, 13, Pax, 11, Zahara, 10, Shiloh, 8, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 6.
In town for the world premiere of Angelina’s movie Unbroken late last year, the “rainbow” family had taken up top-secret residence in James Packer’s $40 million Vaucluse mansion in Sydney’s upmarket eastern suburbs.
Bibi recalls how an ethereal Ange, 39, dressed in black jeans and a black T-shirt, glided into the spectacular marble foyer and stood before her, her hands pressed together in a prayer-like position at her heart.
“Yours is the most ancient culture in the world,” Ange said solemnly to Bibi, before bowing to her in what appeared to be a Buddhist gesture of respect.
“I want to learn about your culture,” Angelina continued, her piercing hazel eyes looking intently into Bibi’s.
“My home is your home. Please, just call me Ange,” she added with a warm smile.
Shiloh, dressed in cute white knickerbockers and a navy T-shirt, beamed up at Bibi excitedly. “I’m Shi,” she said, dispelling widespread rumours the couple’s cherub-faced biological daughter would only answer to her self-imposed nickname of John.
“I’m Vi-vi!” called out golden-locked Vivienne, standing beside her in a sweet floral print dress. Twin Knox stood close by in simple shorts and T-shirt, gazing up at Bibi.
Despite reports in the US that tomboy Shiloh could be coping with gender identity disorder, Bibi confirms the little girl who caused uproar when she ditched a dress in favour of a sleek charcoal suit for the LA Unbroken premiere seemed chatty and well adjusted.
“She was outgoing, she was very friendly,” Bibi reveals.
Bibi spent the day teaching the children about Aboriginal art, encouraging them to use symbols to explain their stories.
At the end of the day, proud mother let out a warm laugh as she looked over her brood’s new-found appreciation of Aboriginal culture.
“You can see she’s taught them we’re all human, and we might come from different parts of the world but we’ve got to show each other love and respect,” said Bibi triumphantly.
Go behind-the-scenes with the Jolie-Pitt’s and read all about Bibi’s day with them, only in Woman’s Day on sale 23rd March.
