miyarnuwimanha translates to ‘learning, becoming knowledgeable’. The work addresses notions of knowledge transfer, resilience of the stolen generation, and the complexities of living off Country on other mob’s unceded land.

miyarnuwimanha was successful and highly acclaimed during its 2020 exhibition in The Lock Up, a colonial jail transformed into an arts space in Newcastle. Exhibiting the installation in the heart of colonial Sydney will add another layer to this highly emotional and engaging work.

Artist Bio

Nicole Monks is a multi-disciplinary creative of Yamaji Wajarri,Dutch and English heritage living and working on Worimi and Awabakal Country (Newcastle). Monks’s practice is informed by her cross-cultural identity, using storytelling as a way to connect the past with the present and future. Her works take a conceptual approach that are embedded with narratives and aim to promote conversation and connection.

An award-winning designer and artist, Monks crosses disciplines to work with furniture and objects, textiles, video, installation and performance. Across these varied forms of contemporary art and design, her work reflects Aboriginal philosophies of sustainability, innovation and collaboration. Monks is well known for her success as a solo and collaborative artist and founder of design practice blackandwhite creative as well as public art company mili mili.