matri-ancestral kin

MATRIFOCALITY

LIGHT PROJECTION
ODE TO CHARLIE PERKINS

THE PAST LIVES IN US

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS
OVER 500 UNACCOUNTED BLAK DEATHS IN CUSTODY

I CANT BREATHE

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS

Time to unsettle the settler. Wiradjuri Original ablaze with the exploration of the internal revolution, JAJA withholds a deep commitment to accountability.

Driven by the exploration of self and identity along their matrifocal bloodline and matri-ancestral kin, JAJA pays homage to their grandmothers Catherine Ingram, Martha Hamlin and the women that came before. Their practice is deeply rooted in public art and placemaking with strong amplification on matrifocal care.

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 walk home together.

EXHIBITIONS // 
2019 | NAIDOC Show | Jonas Jaja Aboriginal Art Gallery | Barngarla/Flinders Ranges [Group Show] 
2016 | Assimilation Byproduct | Araluen Arts Centre | Mparntwe/Alice Springs
[Solo Show] 
2012 | One | Blak Dot Gallery | Naarm/Melbourne [Group Show] 
2011 | Fringe Festival | Blak Dot Gallery | Naarm/Melbourne [Group Show] 
2011 | Exhibition | Double Bassment | Bundjalung/Byron [Group Show] 
2008 | Mourning Light | Blank Space Gallery | Gadigal/Sydney [Solo Show] 
2007 | Lock Up | Starvin’ Marvin’ Art Space | Bundjalung/Mullumbimby [Solo Show] 
2006 | Copy Cat Street Art | Noise International | Bundjalung/Byron [Collab] 
2005 | Art Sabbatical | May - September | Berlin [Solo] 

AWARDS // 
2019| Malka Aboriginal Art Prize | Winner | Barngarla/Port Augusta 
2016 National Indigenous Music Awards | Winner of the Album Cover Art of the Year 

VISUAL ARTS
VISUAL ARTS
VISUAL ARTS
VISUAL ARTS
VISUAL ARTS
VISUAL ARTS
VISUAL ARTS
VISUAL ARTS
VISUAL ARTS
VISUAL ARTS

VISUAL ARTS

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.

Artist, producer, curator and designer for cultural advocacy, JAJA is the national First Nations Programmer for Apple Music, Creator of indigiTUBE, Aboriginal Art Gallery owner, previous Label Manager for CAAMA and Executive Podcast Producer with expertise in project and event delivery. Within the music, media and arts sectors they continue to work with mob across our countries.