ngawa djamagany by Abs in Wallerawang

This painting honours her journey and the women who have shaped her into who she is today. While grounded in First Nations ways of storytelling, the work speaks to a shared truth: women are often formed through the guidance, strength and care of the matriarchs in their lives. Mothers, grandmothers and elders—by blood or by choice—help us find our footing and remind us who we are, especially during times of uncertainty. The outlined figure represents the woman whose story this painting carries. From her shoulder, native flowers grow, symbolising resilience, renewal and connection. These flowers emerge from within her, reflecting that everything she needed to become who she is was already inside her all along, shaped by experience, love and perseverance. The layered dot work and the intricacy of the painting reflect a life that has known chaos, movement and challenge. Rather than disorder, this complexity speaks to strength—moments overlapping, lessons building, and growth continuing even when life felt overwhelming. From these experiences, beauty and balance have emerged. This work stands as a reminder that even through life’s noise and hardship, she has remained grounded, and what blooms from her is a testament to her inner strength and the women who helped guide her along the way.