Ochre glows, it shows itself, waiting for me to discover its magic and beauty.
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.
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…
Pilbara Hills and Spinifex Country In our country we have spinifex covered hills of all different shapes and sizes. When driving through country at different times the colours change and some of the hills look Read more…
Early Morning Mist The early morning mist over the water is the smoke from the breakfast fires of the Marrga, the creation spirits. According to Yindjibarndi law, in the beginning the sky was very low. Read more…