Mindeera

Artist statement: This painting represents my perspective of our Whadjuk community gathering place at Mindeera. This spring or water hole, Mindeera Spring was especially important to all Whadjuk people as it was a neutral place pre colonisation for Noongar people to gather. The painting is of the waterholes and surrounding wetlands which people used to camp near. The six seasons are depicted by the colours of our country during the seasonal change. We know all the food and resources to survive off the land, during the seasons of Djilba, Kambarang, Birak, Bunuru, Djeran and Makaru. Bush food and gathering tools such as coolamon and dishes and digging sticks are paced nearby. Also featured are Yanjet (bullrushes) and travelling bidi (paths) and the ever present wargle who watches over our water ways and country.Roni Gray Forrest February 2023

Artist bio/contact: Veronica [Roni] Gray Forrest is a Minang -Ngadju woman who has lived in Perth Western Australia most of her adult life. Roni was born in Gnowangerup grew up in Goreng country around Jerramungup and the south coast of WA. She has lived on Whadjuk country for most of her adult life.Roni's traditional roots lie in the south coast Noongar people but has worked with and for a diverse range of Indigenous people. She has lived within the Yamaji community of the Mid West of Western Australia for over 20 years and has built extensive networks within the Kimberley, Pilbara, Midwest and Southern Aboriginal communities of WA. Roni recently retired from working in the education sector for over thirty years. The majority of her students she worked with at metropolitan boarding schools have hailed from the Kimberley, Pilbara and regional areas. Roni has extensive experience in Noongar historical research and has an extensive Indigenous network built up from working with Indigenous people throughout the state over many years. She is very active in community issues and serves on local committees in the fields of arts, media and education