Name: Noreena Kadibil
Language: Putijarra
Community: Parnngurr
Biography:
"My country is Katjarra (Carnarvon Range) between wells 6 and 9 on the Canning Stock Route. This is my dad’s country and my grandfather’s and grandmother’s Country. Mum was born in Savory Creek. My grandmother used to live in Jigalong before Old Jigalong got started. I grew up in Wiluna and on Lake Violet Station, but we moved to Jigalong in 1969 after my father passed away. I moved to Parnngurr with my husband and five children in 1984. There was too much humbug in town, it’s a quieter place out here.
I only paint my grandfather’s and grandmother’s Country- that’s our traditional lands. I have other Country but there’s other people mixed up in it. I paint pictures of my Country to keep it safe and to show my kids how to look after it."
– Noreena Kadibil
Noreena Kadibil is a senior Martu artist whose work is grounded in deep cultural and familial ties to her ancestral lands of Katjarra, located between Wells 6 and 9 on the Canning Stock Route. Taught by her parents and grandparents, Noreena paints to preserve and pass on knowledge of her traditional Country, ensuring future generations can continue to care for it.
Noreena was taught about her traditional lands and how to survive in the desert by her parents and grandparents. Noreena’s mother, Daisy, was a member of the Stolen Generations and one of the sisters whose journey inspired the acclaimed film Rabbit Proof Fence. Today, Noreena continues to pass her knowledge on to her children and grandchildren, both through storytelling and painting.
Rollah Block “This one’s a little block where I grew up, near Bidyadanga. It reminds me of when I was little, we used to play in the old chicken house. Reminds me of home. That Read more…
Aba Gantharri “That’s all the old nannas – Aba is nanna, and gantharri is granddaughter [in Wajarri]. My family, we’ve always been a tribe driven by women. This one is about singing and dance, connection Read more…
Yalta “This is my grandmother’s and mother’s Country, Yalta. It’s very close to Kunawarritji side. I’ve never been there. That was where my mother was born during the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) times. All the Read more…