Biography:
Kia was born in Darwin and lived in Bachelor in the Northern Territory until the age of 5 when she moved with her family back to Warmun. Kia and her siblings spent seven years as kids, making great family memories, until her mother decided to return to Darwin so that Kia and Mika could go to high school. Although she left Warmun at 11, Kia and her family returned every school holiday to spend time with her grandparents, Madigan (dec) and Sandy Thomas (dec) as well as her very big Warmun family.
Kia is a Gija woman from Warmun whose family's traditional country includes the Warmun Community. Kia also has Wurla lineage from her grandmother's mother's family and Ngarinyin from her grandfather's father's family. Kia's traditional family countries include Gilbunj, Gurda Gurda, Thildoowa, Jiminjerl and Darrmoorrmorr. Kia is of Nangala skin and her Gija name, Wadjbarreyal, was given to her through her mother, by the late Paddy Bedford (Goowoomji), after his own mother who was also of Nangala skin.
Kia's family dreaming totems are the echidna (Gija people in Warmun call it porcupine), and fire while her skin dreaming totem is the brolga and sand frog. There are many other Nangala animals and plants.
Kia comes from a family of community and cultural leaders, business owners & managers, and athletes. She is a mother to two daughters Lila Marnmi (Marnmi after Kia's maternal great-grandmother Polly's sister and Naiyah Dimbal (Dimbal after Kia's great grandmother Polly's other sister, and mother of Goody Barrett and Lena Nyadbi). Kia's career spans life as an international elite athlete (basketball) for 8 years - studying, competing and working in the United States. She has her MBA in International business, was an award-winning business owner, worked in the resources sector and most recently as a senior executive member in the Commonwealth government.
Other artists Kia is connected to are Narlngalwarrin (Paddy Jumbinji, Kia's maternal great-granduncle i.e. her grandmother's uncle), Rover Thomas (her grandmother Madigan Thomas' brother-in-law from Madigan's paternal first cousin Rita Dinmaria), her grandmother Madigan Thomas, Shirley Purdie (her mum's older sister), Goody Barrett & Lena Nyadbi (her grandmother's maternal first cousins), cousin Madeline Purdie (Shirley's daughter) and father (uncle gudia way) -in-law Gordon Barney (Shirley Purdie's husband).
Reflecting on her leadership role in the closure of Rio Tinto's Argyle Diamond Mine, Kia's art focuses on the rights and interests of Traditional Owners, Country, the Daiwul Ngarrangarni (as told by her grandmother Madigan Thomas), identity and women's roles/business. Kia spends her time with her husband and children between Warmun and Broome.
Kia was born in Darwin but grew up in Warmun Community and attended Ngalangangpum until she was 11 years old. At the time there wasn’t a high school and like many other children in the community Kia had to leave to complete secondary school. Kia’s parents recognised the importance of education and made the decision to move back to Darwin with all 5 children. Kia’s grandmother is Madigan Thomas, her aunt is Shirley Purdie and she is related to many other artists of the WAC. Growing up in Warmun allowed Kia to spend time around both women and many others who have influenced her in one way or another. Kia has been and continues to be inspired by these women, their children and their grandchildren. The stories of her family, pastoral history, Aboriginal history, Dreamtime and her personal experiences all contribute to Kia’s artwork. Kia feels she is most creative when she is on country, around family or simply sitting and watching life happen. Kia’s dreaming is the echidna and fire. Her country is Baulu-Wah (Violet Valley), west of Warmun.
