Colours of Kambarang Ed. 1 of 3

FLOWERING SEASON - SEASON OF BIRTH - OCTOBER & NOVEMBER

During the transition from Djilba to Kambarang Season, the weather rises in temperature with increasingly warm to hot dry days and less cold fronts coming from the coast. Wildflowers Djet Malkakoom, flower this time of year and an abundance of colour is displayed across country boodja. The Moodjar or Christmas Tree (Nuytsia floribunda) leads the Season, and the continuation of yellow wildflowers is magnificently joined by a veritable plethora of colours from the explosion of wildflowers in every direction across the landscape, where the bees and small birds busy themselves with nectar collection.

The long, tall flowering stalks of the great Balga grass tree (Xanthorrhoea preissii) are prevalent this time of year pointing to the sky, whilst the Kurup Australian Bluebells (Billardiera lehmanniana/ fusiformis/ heterophylla) provide a sweet treat closer to the ground. Boon or Bridal Rainbow (Drosera macrantha) with its pink or white flowers and carnivorous insect attracting leaves, grows in wet to rocky soil and is used as an energy boost when the small roots are eaten.

With the weather warming, reptiles such as Karda (Goanna), Noorn (dugite), Wakarl (Carpet Snake), Nornt (Tiger Snake) and Yoorn (Bobtail) emerge from their Seasonal hibernation looking for food and a warm place to reproduce.

The Koolbardi (Magpie) are noticeably protective of their newly born offspring and bush animals that rely on the receding fresh water sources could be found by traditional hunters who sustainably collected waterfowl eggs, frogs, tortoises and marron. Traditionally, people would also move closer towards coastal areas, catching fish, crabs and shellfish to supplement their diet, where the whale migration along the Western Australian coastline is occurring.

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Kaya!

My name is Natalie Clark (Jackson)

I was born in the coastal town of Undalup (Busselton), which is situated in the Southwest of Western Australia. I am from the Wardandi/Bibbulman Noongar Nation on my mother's side and the Ballardong Noongar Nation on my father's side. My totem spirit animal, is the Blue-tongue Lizard, known in my local dialect as Yoorn and my Artist-name Djarliny translates from Noongar to English as flame.

Artistic Training

I am a self-taught artist. I use painting as a medium for healing, expression, and connection to country and self. The canvas is my sanctuary — a space where my emotions flow freely and my palette is a reflection of my own essence, with colours, chosen not just for their aesthetic appeal but for their capacity to convey feelings, memories, and the deep connection to people, places and land.

Artist Statement

At the core of my work is an exploration of identity, both personal and cultural. Through vibrant colours and expressive forms, I examine what it means to be a Noongar person in contemporary society. My artwork is a celebration of cultural heritage and personal growth, reflecting on the multiple layers that shape who we are.

Painting fuels my ability to shatter my own limits, to discover, to innovate and to grasp numerous intricate situations and strive to find solace in overcoming them. Through Art, I am enabled to release my voice, to broaden my horizons, to unravel the enigmas within and around me as painting has offered me an instrument to use colour to conquer my emotions and explore connections.

By presenting complex emotional scopes, I hope to encourage viewers to engage with the world from a more empathetic perspective and hope that my art serves as a mirror, reflecting the multifaceted nature of human experience. Through a dedication to exploring themes of identity, spirituality, perception, and connection, I hope to transcend personal narrative to engage with broader societal issues with each piece inviting reflection and dialogue, showcasing my belief in the power of art as a catalyst for healing and understanding.

I remain committed to fostering connections within the community and celebrating the diverse tapestry of human experience.