MIDLAND artist and Wongutha Yamitiji woman, Nikkita Passmore will debut her latest works at a new NAIDOC Week art exhibition Wangening Bardip (Healing Stories) launching at Central Park next week on Monday, July 8.
The free exhibition will feature an exclusive showcase of artworks by First Nations artists across Western Australia, and Nikita will join 10 other artists in expressing a heartfelt and moving narrative through a compelling and captivating exhibition.
Nikkita embarked deeper into her roots, learning and exploring new avenues leading her to establish a clothing brand known as KR Customs by Nikkita’s Art.
She has been doing art since she was a teenager, picking it up during high school and learning the importance and significance from her Elders, family members and mentors, and has had a strong push to expand art through her dad’s first cousins, Aunty Miranda and Uncle Peter Farmer.
Throughout Nikkita’s experience, she has had the privilege to do projects for mining industries, sporting stars, company logos and workshops.
She also had the opportunity to work on a fashion show project with her Aunty and Uncle, which is what made Nikkita want to explore and move into fashion.
Whilst proud of her achievements, giving back to the younger generation through culture is a key priority.
She also loves teaching the non-Indigenous Australians about the First Nations people of Australia.
Each piece of the exhibition aims to express a heartfelt and moving narrative through compelling and captivating illustrations.
Curated by the Waalitj Foundation, a charity designed to support education, employment, and business opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through its programs, artists displaying their works at the Waalitj Foundation Wangening Bardip exhibition also include Karthi Muir (Tjiwarl / Manta Rirrtinya / Leonora), Melissa Riley (Wadjuk Wardandi Waigi Keyp / Bunbury) Erika Fernandez (Yamatji / Mapuche / Cockburn) Sherena Bin Hitan (Bardi Jawi Yawuru / Broome), and Carol Martin OAM (Yamatji Naaguja and Noongar / Geraldton).
Waalitj Foundation Waalitj Hub general manager, Gohar Rind (Badimaya Yamatji) said: “We are honoured to unveil Waalitj Foundation Wangening Bardip at Central Park and share healing stories from a talented group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across our state.
“Through this exhibition and our program of NAIDOC Week activities at Central Park, we aim to connect tenants and visitors with the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture that is the tapestry to traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
Central Park general manager, Tim Ward said: “We are honoured to partner with the Waalitj Foundation to bring Waalitj Foundation Wangening Bardip (Healing Stories), an exhibition that depicts stories of rich culture from the heart, to the heart of Perth CBD at Central Park.
“We acknowledge the important role we play as a workplace hub in Perth’s CBD and through our compelling program of cultural activities aim to educate visitors on our country’s rich cultural history.”
The Waalitj Foundation Wangening Bardip exhibition is part of a program of NAIDOC Week activities at Central Park designed to invite tenants and visitors to engage with a diverse array of artistic expressions and cultural performances paying homage to this year’s theme: Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud.
Free interactive art workshops held at Central Park open to the public throughout NAIDOC Week include weaving, canvas creativity, and bespoke ‘deadly’ sneaker workshops. Additionally, an Indigenous Business Mini-Market will showcase 100% Indigenous-owned businesses, including stalls from local artists including 13k Jewellery & MaOchre, Djinda Djiti merchandise and more.
The Waalitj Foundation Wangening Bardip (Healing Stories) exhibition will be located at Central Park, Ground Floor Lobby, 152/158 St Georges Terrace and is open daily from July 8 until July 19.
For more details on the full NAIDOC Week program at Central Park, visit their website.
