Body Of My Mother

This mural installation is a tribute to the women in my lineage, represented by six sculptural leaves. Each leaf holds a story—those of my great-great-grandmother, great-grandmother, my Nana Norma MacDonald, my mother Robyn Jean, myself, and my daughter.

One leaf carries an image of me as a child, reflecting the pain and loneliness I experienced—an acknowledgment of the weight of intergenerational trauma. In contrast, my daughter’s leaf stands beside a blooming marri flower, symbolizing renewal, the turning of seasons, and the strength found in breaking cycles.

Above these forms, I have painted the Ngaangk—the Noongar word for both "mother" and "sun." Flowing lines weave through the composition, tracing our journey across Western Australia, the Bilya (river) that connects us, and the umbilical cord that ties us to Boodja (country) and each other.

To me, every person is like a leaf—unique, shaped by time, and deeply connected to a greater branch of stories. This work honors the resilience, strength, and transformation carried through generations, finding healing and hope in the cycles of nature and family.

This mural was painted for the AACHWA Revealed exhibition 2025, in PICA Hub.