Name: Michelle Adams
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.
Seeds and Waterways (Dawn) I am inspired by the colours in the rocks, the seeds on the ground, and the way water moves through the land. When I paint, I think about the flow of Read more…
Spiritual Serpents When us Yindjibarndi people could no longer stay at our own Country we moved to Ngarluma Country then something was getting wild over us. The seaside Serpent. So we called on our fresh Read more…
Wet Season Wet season in the Pilbara fills all the lovely creeks and the rivers flow. It’s a lovely time of the year.