Girls On Country
Transformational Arts Practice For Young First Nations Women in
Australia
MERKABA VISIONS
TRANSFORMATION
EMBODIMENT
IDENTITY
SELF-EMPOWERMENT
There are infinite potentials that exist in the space of art and self expression.
I work with young First Nations women aged 14-25 contracting to schools, social/community spaces and learning environments. I work with groups of up to 10 young women over a period of time culminating in a piece of artwork solely devised and created by these young people.
Through artistic modalities we explore different themes and ideas. We use art as a means to communicate, express and process ideas around identity and belonging. Much of the sessions take place on country. I facilitate creations. I am a guest on their land. I create a reciprocal energetic space where it is safe to express with no judgement, with full acceptance of self and others.
I do not do this alone, I follow the instruction and consult with cultural mentor and advisor Marlene Rubuntja. A phenomenal Central Arrernte Woman, Artist, Activist, Mother and Grandmother. She is part of artist group Yarrenyty Arltere.
Why are video and photography the main mediums?
There is an alchemy that exists when young people stand on the land of their elders and create art in that space. In particular video and photography allows these young people to see themselves standing on the land of their ancestors and provides the ability to frame themselves in a way in which they wish to be seen, creating their own sense of self and their own sense of identity. Their subconscious mind is able to see these newly curated images of self, this makes huge changes to self perception and reinforces a sense of self authorship and self authority. In a landscape in which the media and the external world is creating a narrative about Indigenous young people they have the authorship to create their own narrative.
ART AND SELF EXPRESSION
'Because The World Needs Us'
Art Exhibition, Watch This Space, Alice Springs, NT, 2018.
First Nations young women aged 13-16 exhibited autobiographical artworks in varied mediums, from video and photography to land art.
'Because The World Needs Us'
Art Exhibition, Watch This Space, Alice Springs, NT, 2018.
First Nations young women aged 13-16 exhibited autobiographical artworks in varied mediums, from video and photography to land art.
'Because The World Needs Us'
Art Exhibition, Watch This Space, Alice Springs, NT, 2018.
First Nations young women aged 13-16 exhibited autobiographical artworks in varied mediums, from video and photography to land art.
ART AND THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND
95% of our programming is in our subconscious mind. Art has the potential to access the subconscious mind and young people have the ability to express concepts, ideas, thought and feelings in a way that many other therapies simply cannot. There are two combined forms of trauma our young Indigenous population are experiencing.
Intergenerational Trauma:
Intergenerational trauma is believed to pass from one generation to the next through genetic changes to a person's DNA after they experience trauma, this can exhibit in up to 12 generations. Bruce Lipton (developmental biologist) explains how possible it is the reverse these changes, ending Intergenerational trauma and restoring genetics to their original blueprint. Through appropriate therapeutic practises this is certainly possible.
Generational Trauma:
How our early physical environment can and does impact our nervous systems, relational patterns and future behaviours. The work of Dr Nicole LaPera, otherwise known as the Holistic Psychologist explores the potentials of self healing and ways in which we can signal change to behavioural patterns in which we have inherited from our social and economic environments.
We are living in a time where science and research demonstrates the huge potential to heal both Generational and Intergenerational trauma, creating transformation at the core of our being and permanent change for generations to come.
WHERE THERE IS INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA THERE IS ALSO POTENTIAL FOR INTERGENERATIONAL HEALING.
TRANSFORMATIONAL ARTS PRACTICE
Arts Practice Benefits:
- Reconcile emotional conflict
- Increase sense of self empowerment
- Foster self-regulation
- Increase self-esteem and awareness
- Build resilience
- Facilitate post traumatic growth
- Process loss and grief
- Improve mental and physical symptoms
- Manage emotional pain, anxiety, stress and depression
Kiki Albury (age 14)
"I felt proud being in the exhibition. I felt like people listened to what I was saying, it felt good"
Christine R Kunoth (age 15)
"I liked the painting and the talking. We talked all together."
Sharona Kunoth (age 16)
“It was fun and different for us.”
MY BACKGROUND
MFA Visual Arts, Goldsmiths, University College of London
BA(Hons) Fine Art, University of the Arts, London
100 HR Cert in Yoga, Trauma and The Energy Body.
Firstly, I would like to fully acknowledge that I am not Indigenous to Australia, therefore I will never know the lived experience of a First Nations person in Australia. My intention is to be a strong ally for young First Nations people.
I grew up with an absent father from a different country and a mother, who was severely emotionally and psychologically abusive. My upbringing was incredibly traumatic. Art became a way to explore my cultural identity and who I was. It created a space for exploration and discovery and it further allowed myself to process emotions and unresolved traumas. My lived experiences inform this work and mission.
I worked independently as an artist after finishing my Masters of Fine Art in London, UK. I went on to exhibit internationally and featured in The Guardian, Wonderland Magazine and Hysteria Magazine. My work was shortlisted for the Catlin Art Prize and University of the Arts' Future Maps award, I went on to receive The KALA Art Institute Fellowship Award from Berkeley, CA, USA.
I have worked in youth organisations and art centres in Central Australia since 2016. I have 100 HR Cert in Yoga, Trauma and The Energy Body.
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SERVICES I OFFER
SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SPACES
I contract to social and community spaces ages ranging from 14-26.
SCHOOLS & LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
I contract to both schools and flexible learning environments ages ranging from 4 - 18.
CONSULTANCY
With almost a decade of working with First Nations young people in Central Australia within various different organisations as well as independently I offer a tailored consultancy service.
"Every soul deserves to be seen,
to be heard
and to express."