JAJA Dare / National Regional Arts Fellow '25

South Evans Head, NSW
Artform: Visual Arts
Project Title: The KNU

JAJA is a Wiradjuri visual artist ablaze with the exploration of the internal revolution, a deep commitment to accountability and transparency. The system is cracking and it is time to listen deeply to our waters, lands, lines and sky country. Time to evolve into what is not only possible, but necessary. Time to decolonise. Time to walk home together. Driven by the exploration of self and identity along their matrifocal bloodline and matri-ancestral kin, JAJA pays homage to their grandmother Martha Hamlin and the women that came before. Their practice is deeply rooted in public art and placemaking, with a strong focus on community. JAJA’s visual arts work reflects matrifocal ancestry lines, identity, country, trauma patterns and systemic racism. Vividly textured artworks are developed by fusing symbolic gestures, typography and mark makings to create the notion of palimpsest; representing the embedded layers of the rich and traumatic history of genocide and assimilation in the government’s pursuit to create a uniformed so-called white Australian culture. JAJA is an experienced producer, curator and designer for cultural advocacy. Creator of indigiTUBE, Aboriginal Art Gallery owner, Label Manager for CAAMA, podcast producer and artist with expertise in design and project delivery. Within the music, media and arts sectors, JAJA continues to work with mob across our countries.

#theknu #blakvision #unsettlethesettler #theinternalrevolution #kinship #decolonise #ancestors #alwayswasalwayswillbe #truthtelling