Sacred ceremonial hill in Yindjibarndi country.
Name: Michelle Adams
Language: Yindjibarndi
Biography:
Michelle Lee Adams is an Yindjibarndi woman born in Roebourne in 1970, now based in Karratha. Initially beginning a law degree, Michelle shifted focus and has since worked across Australia in the creative arts, collaborating with communities, Elders, and organisations such as Big hART. Most recently, she co-created Punkaliyarra, a major production developed with Yindjibarndi Elders and senior women, presented at the Sydney Opera House.
Her transition into visual arts is a natural progression, deeply rooted in cultural and family ties. Michelle descends from the Sandy, Pat, and Andrews families—custodians of knowledge and Country—and draws inspiration from her late mother and her “Gawarli” (mother’s aunty) Allery Sandy, both respected artists born at Mount Florence Station (Yirranha).
As an emerging visual artist, Michelle uses her practice to honour her ancestors, preserve cultural memory, and speak to the ongoing impacts of colonialism through thoughtful, powerful creative expression.
Sea Turtle When we see sea turtles it can mean that they can be mating and that makes us aware that they will soon be going to lay eggs. Some of our people eat the Read more…
Flowers I love these colours and the colours i see at this time of year when Country has many wildflowers blooming.
Wet Season This painting is inspired by the wet season in the Pilbara which is basically after cyclone season for me when we have plenty of rain filling the rivers and bringing life back to Read more…