Becoming Djida

I am Djida. Djida is the morning light, the first song of the birds as the day dawns. The name given by my father encapsulates the morning scenes of nature as the sunlight breaks forth to commence the beginning of a new day. 

Proud of my Whadjuk, Minang, Nyikina, and Gooniyandi heritage, my roots run deep from the waters of the Mardoowarra of Fitzroy Crossing to the Darling Ranges and Southern Coastal Plains of Western Australia.

As an artist living on Noongar Boodjar, I carry the stories of my ancestors as a seventh recorded generation from Gertjan, my Whadjuk Matriarch, who was birthed in Guilford. My art is an expression of my identity, shaped and inspired by my old people – their wisdom, strength, and resilience, by my grandfather, Greg Garlett (dec.) who was a proud Whadjuk Ballardong man who fought for our rights as a people and Noongar nation, by my grandmother, Coral Foley, Nyikina, Gooniyandi—who is a second-generation survivor of the Stolen Generations whose resilience continues to guide me, and by my parents, who taught me to walk in two worlds with integrity, faith, and a deep respect for people and Country. 

Reflecting on my childhood, I cherish the precious moments spent travelling on Country, surrounded by family and Elders in community— sharing yarns by the fire, singing together, and listening to the stories that carry our culture and wisdom. These experiences shape the way I share my work today. 

Becoming Djida, is a personal journey— grounded in the reciprocity between people, place, and Country. Blending cultural narratives with contemporary design, I create with the intention of honouring the wisdom of those before me, the resilience of my people, and the presence of my Creator. Through this exhibition, I invite you to see through my eyes—to walk with me, feel the presence of Country,
and experience the stories that continue to be told, just as our people have always done.