Kaya, I'm Mel, a Noongar Aboriginal Artist living on Whadjuk Country, Western Australia.

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I was born in Nambour, Gubbi Gubbi Country in Queensland and moved to Western Australia at the age of 10. My Woods family heritage is from Gnowangerup, Goreng Country in South West WA.

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Through a variety of mediums, I use paint as a tool to tell stories and share knowledge. Raised away from my Aboriginal heritage, I wasn’t connected to my culture. Through painting I seek to rebuild that connection, with a self-taught practice that extends from acrylics on canvas to leather and enamel paints as well as large-scale mural based works.

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I am incredibly passionate about sharing my heritage and culture to keep it alive, leading workshops and inspiring the younger generation by telling stories through art.

 

I have experience working with a number of clients, creating work for private commissions as well as in the public domain. I am currently an artist in residence for my second year at Manjedal Activity Centre (ScoutsWA) where I run art workshops and projects across ScoutsWA groups and for DCP children.

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