Nuriah Jadai is a Martu & Mangala woman currently living between Newman and Bidyadanga Community. As an artist and activist, Nuriah uses her art as a tool to advocate for the protection of Country. With a steadfast commitment to standing up against fracking, she captures the profound connection between her people and Country.
The land is not merely a backdrop for her photographs; it is an integral part of her identity. She believes that Country and people are inseparable, intertwined in a delicate balance of symbiotic existence. Using her lens as a voice, Nuriah sheds light on the devastating impact of fracking on the land, the people, and the community. Her photographs evoke a range of emotions, from violence and pain to sorrow and hurt, revealing the profound toll that extractive industries have on both the physical and spiritual realms.
Amidst the darkness, Nuriah captures the unwavering strength and resilience of her people. Through her art, she showcases the indomitable spirit that fuels their fight for justice and the protection of their ancestral lands. Her photographs serve as a testament to the enduring power of collective action and the importance of raising awareness about the environmental and social issues plaguing her Country.
With her evocative and thought-provoking art, Nuriah seeks to spark conversations, challenge the status quo and inspire positive change.
I Am Mother Earth was created during Exposure: New Voices in Australian Photography. Exposure, is a photo media initiative by the Perth Centre of Photography (PCP), supporting the need for and value of empowering First Nations artists with opportunities to voice their stories and lived experience via artistic practice.
PCP partnered with Kimberley-focused organistaion, Camera Story, to deliver the tailored mentoring program in the artists home communities to provided skills development, resources, professional opportunities, and network development over an 18-month period. .
Between 2021-2023, Exposure saw artists and mentors working across Djugan, Yawuru, Ngarinyin, Mangala, Karajarri, Wunambol, Kwini and Whadjuk Noongar Country in the Kimberley, Pilbara and South-West regions on Western Australia.
