GAJAYARRA
Jenine Boeree and Nicole Monks
August 31 2024 — November 24 2024
GAJAYARRA takes us on a journey from unknowing to knowing, guided by intuition, deep listening, and knowledge held in our bones. Created by three generations — mother, daughter, and grandson — these works capture a specific moment in our shared journey, bringing to the forefront the profound closeness between children and their mothers, highlighting the maternal bond that unites them.
Using traditional materials such as pelts and feathers, we express our culture through tactile embodiment, reflecting our deep cultural roots while photography connects us to our contemporary reality. This approach honours our ever-evolving culture, blending the old ways with the present, and resonating with the timeless connection between mother and child.
This possum skin cloak is specifically made to hold a baby or toddler on the mothers back.
-Nicole Monks
Jenine Boeree was born in Perth, Western Australia on Noongar Country. She is a Yamaji Wadjari woman from the Murchison region in central Western Australia and has British heritage.
Nicole Monks is of Yamaji Wajarri, Dutch and English heritage living and working on Worimi and Awabakal Country in Newcastle.
Boeree and Monks are mother and daughter and often create work in collaboration.
The artists would like to thankfully acknowledge Ronald Boeree, Yarra Monks and Chico Monks.
This work was commissioned by Maitland Regional Art Gallery in response to Ron Mueck’s Pregnant woman, 2002 on loan from the National Gallery of Australia through the Sharing the National Collection initiative.
