MATILDA NONA | Bupungu

Описание: MATILDA NONA | Bupungu
24 March - 17 May 2025 at NorthSite Contemporary Arts
11-13 July at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair

"I’m a Argun woman from Badu Island in the Maluligal sea country. My totem is the Thupmul (stingray) and the Koedal (crocodile). My wind is the Sagerr Gub (North Easterly).

I was drawn to printmaking through my father who was a wood carver which lead me to carving on vinyl. I started working with natural pigments and plant extracts, as means to reduce costs of getting commercial materials from mainland – this then lead me to create with natural pigments. I had a crazy idea if only I could turn ochres and plant extracts into my own signature inks and it would be significant to me, my people and my homeland. It would be like having a piece of Badu in your home.

This body of work Bupungu (from the bush) is based on the maternal practices of the Maluligal women of Zenadh Kes and my cultural upbringing and traditions, and my fascination with the bup (bush).

Working with ochres and plants it draws me back to my ancestral ways. It makes me feel connected and being present with them. When out bush, I must seek permission from my ancestors to gather, collect and roam around.”

-- Matilda Nona

The CATAPULT program is generously supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland’s Queensland Arts Showcase Program (QASP) and proudly sponsored by Phish Creative, who provided videography support for this project. NorthSite Contemporary Arts has also been a valued presentation and production partner, providing essential support and space for the residency, further enriching the program’s impact.