Geraldton-based Yamatji Naaguja artist Carol Martin’s artwork displayed in First Nations exhibit in Perth

Geraldton-based Yamatji Naaguja artist Carol Martin is set to have her artwork featured in a First Nations exhibit in Perth.

Wangening Bardip (Healing Stories) is set to feature 11 First Nations artists from WA in a display at Perth’s Central Park office tower as part of NAIDOC Week.

Martin, a former State MP, said the theme allowed for the artists to tell their stories in different ways.

“We all interpret how we heal on different levels. As an artist, it’s something we express through our art about how we are healing,” she said.

“Healing is really important, and I think it’s really about is us expressing how we feel.

“Some of it includes talks about pain and suffering, and some looks at hope and the future.”

Martin, a social worker and the first Aboriginal woman to be elected to any parliament in Australia, said she drew on her experience as a proud Yamatji woman to create her art.

She said they focus on a number of different topics, including creation in her piece, A Dreaming Overview.

“It gives the answers to three questions; what’s our view of creation, what’s our view about life after death, and how do we work out the rules and norms of the society that’s been around for hundreds of thousands of years,” Martin said.

“When you actually go through the story, it tells you about all of the things that are important in any religion.”

Martin said she was in awe of being a part of the exhibition with other First Nations artists.

“To be a part of this collective, there’s all sorts of amazing work here,” she said.

“There’s some pretty spectacular paintings with stories behind each of them.

“Hopefully we can share that with the broader community so you see through our eyes what these stories are.”

The Wangening Bardip exhibition will be on display at Perth’s Central Park on St Georges Terrace from Monday, July 8, the first day of NAIDOC Week. This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.